Best Movies Inspired by Quentin Tarantino or primarily Pulp Fiction. Similar to or Rips off or Copies Tarantino Style but Not Directed by Tarantino himself. Tarantino-esque. Tarantinoesque.
Best Movies Inspired by Quentin Tarantino or primarily Pulp Fiction. Rips off or Copies Tarantino Style. Not Directed by Tarantino
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1. Check out best Tarantino Like movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015341630/[/link] .
2. Check out best Felliniesque movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015216162/[/link] .
3. Check out best Lynchian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015263842/[/link] .
4. Check out best Hitchcockian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071418428/ [/link].
5. Check out best Lovecraftian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls020140482/ [/link].
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This isn't about best Pulp Movies. For that Checkout :- [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls011971972/[/link]
This list isn't about movies "THAT INSPIRED" tarantino, so don't expect movies like these on our list
1. City on Fire
2. The killers
3. Lady Snowblood
4. Switchblade Sisters
etc. etc. etc.
Doesn't include Movies Ghost Directed/Written by Tarantino Himself like :-
1. Sin City
2. Natural Born Killers
3. From Dusk Till Dawn
4. True Romance
5. Four Rooms
or Sequels to Tarantino Movies like
1. From Dusk Till Dawn 2 and 3
or Movies Produced/Presented by Tarantino
1. Hostel 1-2
2. Hell Ride
3. Hero
4. Daltry Calhoun
5. My Name is Modesty
6. Curdled
7. Killing Zoe
8. Iron Monkey
9. The Protector
10. The Man with the Iron Fists
********
1. Check out best Tarantino Like movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015341630/[/link] .
2. Check out best Felliniesque movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015216162/[/link] .
3. Check out best Lynchian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls015263842/[/link] .
4. Check out best Hitchcockian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071418428/ [/link].
5. Check out best Lovecraftian movies list also [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls020140482/ [/link].
********
This isn't about best Pulp Movies. For that Checkout :- [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls011971972/[/link]
This list isn't about movies "THAT INSPIRED" tarantino, so don't expect movies like these on our list
1. City on Fire
2. The killers
3. Lady Snowblood
4. Switchblade Sisters
etc. etc. etc.
Doesn't include Movies Ghost Directed/Written by Tarantino Himself like :-
1. Sin City
2. Natural Born Killers
3. From Dusk Till Dawn
4. True Romance
5. Four Rooms
or Sequels to Tarantino Movies like
1. From Dusk Till Dawn 2 and 3
or Movies Produced/Presented by Tarantino
1. Hostel 1-2
2. Hell Ride
3. Hero
4. Daltry Calhoun
5. My Name is Modesty
6. Curdled
7. Killing Zoe
8. Iron Monkey
9. The Protector
10. The Man with the Iron Fists
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- DirectorSkip WoodsStarsThomas JaneAaron EckhartPaulina PorizkovaA former L.A. drug dealer has moved to Houston to make a new life for himself as a married architect. Everything falls apart when he is suddenly visited by one of his former cohorts who comes carrying heroin.Thursday is like a Homage movie, 100% dedicated to Tarantino's Style. 'Thursday' is a good movie but we recognize too much from other movies in its genre and therefore it lacks originality. If you have seen 'Goodfellas', 'Reservoir Dogs', 'Pulp Fiction' and a bunch of other movies that were inspired by that last one you have seen almost every part from 'Thursday'. There is a scene that involves torturing that has even the same dialogue as in Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs'.
Basically I think this film is for me what Reservoir Dogs was for many people - a cult classic - although I prefer to compare it with Pulp Fiction. A great story and good actors. OK the budget might be not as big as in for instance other 1998 movies like Godzilla, The Avengers of Mission to Mars but it sure as hell beats the living crap out of those films (and numerous others).
The story of this film, is about a man named Casey (Thomas Jane), who has settled down with his wife in Houston. Unexpectedly an old friend(played by Aaron Eckhart) of his comes by disrupting his life, revealing his secrets and basically making his day a living hell (and a bloody one too).
The film is very original and quite bloody / sexually tinted. All the characters and actors are good, although I must give very big credits to Thomas Jane and Paulina Porizkova, who were the best actors (and had the best characters) in the film. Also I'd have to thank Skip Woods for being so imaginative and original. Brutal, sexual, offensive??? Maybe, but sure as heck enjoyable and a thrill ride to the end. And the movie also stars Mickey Rourke !!! So if you want to see Rourke in a Tarantino Movie ....... this is the best you'll ever get. - DirectorDoug LimanStarsSarah PolleyJay MohrScott WolfThe aftermath of a drug deal as told from three different points of view.Tarantino-Esque Elements: A group of hip young things, bound together by a shady drug deal played out through a fragmented but interconnected narrative. Every character is given room to breathe, from the leads down to the most incidental scumbag. Yep, sounds like QT to us.
When Roger Ebert reviewed "Go" back in 1999, he used the first paragraph to talk about the lasting legacy of "Pulp Fiction," including the fact that "sooner or later the statute of limitations has to run out" on comparisons between new movies and Tarantino's game-changing masterpiece. And the critical consensus was pretty much in agreement: even though, as Ebert said, "the shadow of Q.T. falls on many scenes," Doug Liman's energetic, candy-colored follow-up to "Swingers" was a deeply entertaining ride in its own right. (It was also, with the country's youth currently under the spell of a dance music renaissance, ahead of its time.)
The biggest debt "Go" pays to "Pulp Fiction" is in its shifty, interlocking narrative that follows a trio of threads, all loosely connected back to a Christmas-themed rave in Los Angeles, and in its cooler-than-thou attitude, with snappy, tough-talking drug dealers, kooky cops and a coolly detached view of violence and its real-world repercussions. (It's also worth noting that Liman was once again latching onto contemporary urban hipster tropes.)
The power of "Go," which unfolds with a nearly hallucinogenic vividness (like "American Graffiti" on ecstasy), is that you aren't actively attributing this debt to Tarantino as the movie is going on. It's hilarious and involving and warm on its own terms. "Go" is one of the rare son-of-"Pulp Fiction" movies where it didn't matter if the influence was obvious; it was that damn good. - DirectorTroy DuffyStarsWillem DafoeSean Patrick FlaneryNorman ReedusTwo Irish Catholic brothers become vigilantes and wipe out Boston's criminal underworld in the name of God.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Tarantino plays with the idea of a criminal following a higher calling with Jules in Pulp Fiction . The difference is, Jules only believes his own hype when he decides to leave the profession. Before then he was just quoting "some cold-blooded *beep*
Somewhere between Tarantino and Ritchie lies Duffy.
"Boondock Saints" is a clever, funny, sufficiently violent movie with an overall high entertainment value. The story revolves around two Irish-American brothers and an excentric gay FBI agent (awesome: William Dafoe). The brothers - devout Catholics - who speak several languages fluently and work in a slaughterhouse find themselves equipped with money and weapons and subsequently start their very own crusade against the evil men of Boston - professional killers, mafia bosses and drug dealers. The agent is at their heels from the outset, but he has to realize that justice is on the side of the brothers...
This basic plot is the foundation for a highly energetic narrative: we get excellent and at times highly comic dialogues (with a high *beep* ratio), running gags, and lots of crazy situations and plot developments that are as absurd as they are funny. The action/shooting scenes are well-choreographed with a fine eye for the detail, but it's the main characters, their dialogues and developments around which the movie is develops rather than the action sequences.
On top of this, we get a fractured time/place structure that's already familiar from movies such as Kubrick's "The Killing" or Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs", but "Boondock Saints" takes it to new extremes - and thus it's fun to watch. - DirectorGary FlederStarsAndy GarciaChristopher WalkenChristopher LloydFive different criminals face imminent death after botching a job quite badly.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Steve Buscemi as Mr. Shh and Christopher Walken as The Man With The Plan feel as though they've both wandered in from the brain of Tarantino. Quirky criminals, ahoy!
Playing something like a romanticized elegy for gentlemen gangsters, 'Denver' fizzled in theaters, despite boasting Andy Garcia backed by a cast of notables and several Tarantino alumni.
Garcia plays Jimmy The Saint, an ex-con forced into doing a final favor for a slumming Christopher Walken, who proceeds to assemble a team of That Guy Actors. The plan goes sour and Steve Buscemi is dispatched to stalk and kill the men. The echoes of Tarantino are heard far and wide—Buscemi’s contract killer is named Mr. Shhh, nearly every character bears a humorous moniker, the dialogue is akin to a mashup of sixty years of gangster movies, and the tone shifts between graphic violence and humor. You’d be wrong to write off the picture though, since all artifice aside, the filmmaking is hardly pedestrian.
The actors deliver, in particular a gentle Christopher Lloyd and a certifiably demented Treat Williams, while Buscemi cements his presence without so much as a word. It’s stylized, artificial even, but there’s no denying screenwriter Scott Rosenberg (who also penned last year’s “Pain & Gain”) has a sense for the kind of tough guy talk that belongs on the silver screen (and only there). If nothing else, embrace the spoilers and enjoy this scene—the source of fan favorite line: “I am Godzilla, you are Japan!” - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Out of Guy Ritchie’s gallery of crime films, “Snatch” happens to be my favorite. But like everyone else, he takes from Tarantino’s style and sets his film in the underground crime world where the search for a diamond brings together a slew of despicable thugs, criminals, low lives, and rubes.
Based mostly in London, the film still manages to squeeze in supporting performances from character actors from around the globe. There’s a great supporting performance from Dennis Farina, the one and only Vinnie Jones, and there are a slew of talented actors in the ensemble including Lennie James, Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Alan Ford, Benicio Del Toro, and a pretty paltry supporting performance from Brad Pitt who is memorable as Mickey the Gypsy, a brawling momma’s boy whose accent is so indecipherable not even the characters in the movie can understand him.
Ritchie opts for Tarantinoesque antics and endless monologues and by the end there’s that typical twist that Ritchie delivers that’s very entertaining but indicative of Tarantino’s influence on filmmakers to this day. - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsEmilio EchevarríaGael García BernalGoya ToledoAn amateur dog fighter, a supermodel, and a derelict assassin, all separately struggling to find love, find their lives transformed by a devastating car wreck in Mexico City.Tarantino-Esque Elements: What with its tripartite structure and non-linear narrative style, there are very obvious parallels to be drawn with Pulp Fiction . There's even a character named The Goat to fill in for The Wolf.
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has his foibles—oppressive seriousness, and an at-times comically dour tonal and thematic palette—but the man is still a gifted filmmaker, one of the best of an impressive roster of modern Mexican directors, in fact. That talent was evident from the beginning in his first, and still best, feature to date.
Its similarities to “Pulp Fiction” are pretty clear but mostly surface: three interlocking stories that see characters occasionally cross over; a criminal element; harsh violence. But beyond that, “Amores Perros” (aka “Love’s A Bitch”) is its own beast—a gritty, unflinchingly hard-edged portrayal of loyalty and disloyalty, painful cosmic jokes, fate, and the way love can evolve so fluidly into hatred (and vice versa).
The film’s success led to two more projects between Iñárritu and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (the also great “21 Grams” and the just OK-with-moments-of-greatness “Babel” which made up their loosely connected Death Trilogy) before they went their own creative ways.
Arriaga continued his obsession with the hyperlink film when he wrote and directed “The Burning Plain” whereas Iñárritu left it behind to make the more focused “Biutiful,” so perhaps it was the screenwriter who was more influenced by ‘Pulp’. Regardless, “Amores Perros” is a fantastic film that rises well above any Tarantino rip-off labels. - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsGeorge ClooneyJennifer LopezVing RhamesA career bank robber breaks out of jail, and shares a moment of mutual attraction with a U.S. Marshal he has kidnapped.The Film: Steven Soderbergh's ultra-slick Elmore Leonard adaptation sees George Clooney's escaped con playing with fire with Jennifer Lopez's Federal Marshal.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: Clooney and J'Lo's restaurant chat is a worthy companion piece to Travolta and Thurman's dinner date, while Foley himself would be right at home in any of QT's crime films. And then there's Michael Keaton, playing the same character he played in Jackie Brown . Even Sam Jackson crops up as a character who seems suspiciously like Jules Winnfield.
Mr Purple Or Mr. Pink: Soderbergh's film is a chronically underrated genre flick, and Clooney has rarely been more charming. - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason FlemyngDexter FletcherNick MoranEddy persuades his three pals to pool money for a vital poker game against a powerful local mobster, Hatchet Harry. Eddy loses, after which Harry gives him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds.Tarantino-Esque Elements: A cast of colourful criminal characters cracking wise and shooting each other. The template is obvious.
I am a bit dismayed to see some of the marketing of this film comparing it to other things like Quentin Tarantino films or Trainspotting. It really does it a disservice because this film really is its own phenomenon and stands on its own two feet; if anything it is similar to Trainspotting and Tarantino films only because it actually has its own bold style that takes tarantino and boyle and mixes it to create magic of its own.
Critics' endless comparisons of Ritchie's film with the works of Quentin Tarantino and Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting' stand mostly unwarranted, as these comparisons take away from the inventiveness and originality of 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. Ritchie's film is a much more involved, complex, layered work than the aforementioned comparisons. While Tarantino's films are very strong on dialogue, screenplay, and editing, they often lack creative camera work and direction. Boyle's 'Trainspotting' does have a resembling "feel" to 'LS&TSB', but aside from its Great Britain origins, there really is no need for comparison. 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' is essential viewing, with homages given to Boyle and Tarantino. - DirectorBryan SingerStarsKevin SpaceyGabriel ByrneChazz PalminteriThe sole survivor of a pier shoot-out tells the story of how a notorious criminal influenced the events that began with five criminals meeting in a seemingly random police lineup.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Chris McQuarrie's punchy script is very Tarantino-esque, what with its focus on male relationships, and the testosterone-driven banter that forms their foundation. There's plenty of non-chronological jumping around as well.
A group of criminals. A detached narrative. An ending that ties it all together. A young director. Style over substance. For its time, “The Usual Suspects” was considered a rather stellar murder mystery that teams a wild cast of characters, all of whom suffer cruel fates at the hands of an unseen crime boss who hides in the shadows for most of the film.
Bryan Singer relies on the detached story segments to throw the audience off to the whole events and provides a narrator who may or may not be entirely reliable or trustworthy to get us through the motions channeling “Rashomon.”
While the film does value style over substance and apes Tarantino in many respects, it’s a considerably solid murder mystery with a surprise ending that’s so well known it’s surprising if you don’t already know it. Come on, you know what the ending is! I knew it two years before I ever actually saw the film. All things considered I can imagine the surprise ending was amazing for its time, and it’s still worth watching if only for the mesmerizing performance from Kevin Spacey. - DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsGene HackmanRene RussoDanny DeVitoA mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt, and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Travolta's career had been handily kick-started by QT, and he plays another memorably cool character here. The dialogue is as hard-boiled and quick-witted as anything Tarantino has come up with, and once again, various story threads come together in explosive fashion.
Not so much ripping off "Pulp Fiction" as betting heavily on its success (it was one of John Travolta's first post-comeback bookings, producers Jersey Films having partly backed ‘Pulp’ and having the inside track), “Get Shorty” also turned out to be one of the very best of the wave of comic crime pictures that came in the years after Tarantino’s game-changer, in part because it directly adapted one of the director’s favorites, Elmore Leonard.
Scripted by Scott Frank and helmed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the film sees Travolta play Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who pursues Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), a B-movie producer, only to end up entering the business by pitching a movie based on his life. They set out to land A-lister Martin Weir (Danny DeVito, who also produced), even as Chili woos Weir’s ex-wife (Rene Russo) and fends off both a local drug dealer (Delroy Lindo) and his boss from home (Dennis Farina). It’s convoluted stuff with multiple players, just like all of Leonard’s best work, but Frank’s smart, snappy screenplay manages to make it all comprehensible, and Sonnenfeld’s zippy, career-best direction keeps proceedings light on their feet. Plus the cast are all aces: not just the starry ensemble (with Travolta arguably even better here than in ‘Fiction’), but also the stacked supporting cast that includes James Gandolfini, Jon Gries and, in an unbilled cameo, Bette Midler. Shame about the sequel, though... - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.Christopher Nolan himself said that Quentin Tarantino was an influence on him because he inspired him to read crime novels and stories, which became the basis for his film. In his opinion, the film holds up ten years later because he was inspired by novels and stories rather than films, which is why he feels films like Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994) are more "retro."
- DirectorC.M. TalkingtonStarsGil BellowsRenée ZellwegerRory CochraneA small time crook flees to Mexico to evade the authorities, loan sharks, and his murderous ex-partner with only his fiancé and a trusted Colt .45.stars Renee Zellweger in a boneheaded, overcooked "Bonnie & Clyde" story, and seems designed for viewers who found "Natural Born Killers" just too rife with nuance and subtext.
Tarantino-esq action thriller which is worth a look and will not disappoint fans of Quentin's films particularly True Romance. It has (lots of ) violence, rapid gun fire, white trash characters and a large dollop of that comic book humour that has got Quent where he is today. It is easy to see that this film takes its inspiration from the aforementioned film, but it does stand on its own feet as the script and the action is good enough to entertain you throughout. Bellows and Zellwegger are good in the leads and the supporting Rory Cochrane is great fun as their psychotic madman 'friend' out to settle a few old scores. Peter Fonda is a standout as Zellweggers' dad. Highly recommended. - DirectorRob ZombieStarsSid HaigSheri Moon ZombieBill MoseleyThe murderous, backwoods Firefly family take to the road to escape the vengeful Sheriff Wydell, who is not afraid of being as ruthless as his target.Tarantino-Esque Elements: As a trio of nutcases torture and kill their way across America, all the while being pursued by an equally unhinged sheriff, your mind will almost certainly drift to Natural Born Killers . Throw in some extended dialogue riffs and a banging '70s soundtrack and you've got Zombie's most Tarantino-inspired movie to date.
Rob Zombie is one in a long line of genre directors (*cough*Eli Roth*cough*) who are convinced that if they ape the style and tone of Quentin Tarantino, the audience will be none the wiser and they can breeze by with a hit. Like Tarantino’s films there are long drawn out bouts of dialogue and exposition, endless references to pop culture and cult film, a brutally excellent soundtrack, and of course like Tarantino, Zombie’s characters never converse like normal people would in the real world. And lest we forget the co-starring appearance of Sheri Moon who is the Uma Thurman to Zombie’s Tarantino. “The Devil’s Rejects” wisely takes a departure from the mediocre “House of a Thousand Corpses” and is basically just a very violent fugitive flick that channels Peckinpah and Hooper.
With three of our psychotic Firefly siblings on the road, they evade the law, and take the time out to torture and humiliate a family in a motel room for a long period of time because… well, just because. Along the way they’re hunted by a psychotic sheriff, and his two mercenaries for hire, as played memorably by Diamond Dallas Page and Danny Trejo. While Zombie is normally one who apes from Tobe Hooper, and HG Lewis, there’s no denying “The Devil’s Rejects” is Zombie’s Tarantino effort.
It’s a really good film, all things considered and is a bonafide fix for a Tarantino craving the same way a burger is a fix for someone craving steak. - DirectorTony ScottStarsKeira KnightleyMickey RourkeEdgar RamírezA recounting of Domino Harvey's life story. The daughter of actor Laurence Harvey turned away from her career as a Ford model to become a bounty hunter.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Domino herself is the kind of fetishized, badass, *beep* heroine that QT goes a bomb on, while the kinetic energy and frequent ultra-violence is also up his alley. Also, Mickey Rourke seems bound to crop up in one of QT's films at some point!
Based on the exploits of female bounty hunter Domino Harvey, “Domino” is an exploitative guilty pleasure that admits in the opening that most of the movie is fictitious or exaggerated. One of the few films I can sit through from screenwriter Richard Kelly, “Domino” is a really solid action picture starring Keira Knightley as the bored super model who turns bounty hunter, seeking adventure with a crusty Mickey Rourke and the guys from Beverly Hills 90210.
Like much of Tarantino’s films, it features a very spastic energy, sets its spotlight on many thuggish characters, and tends to go off on its own tangent in terms of narrative. And like Tarantino, Domino is completely fetishized for the audience. Overall the film isn’t bad, just don’t go in expecting “Kill Bill.” - DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsRyan PhillippeBenicio Del ToroJuliette LewisTwo criminal drifters without sympathy get more than they bargained for after kidnapping and holding for ransom the surrogate mother carrying a baby for a powerful, shady man.As great as ‘Pulp’ is, the majority of the films that tried to emulate it ain’t in the same ballpark, the same league, they ain't even the same *beep* sport. Some get closer though, as in this beautifully crass (for the first half at least) Christopher McQuarrie crime film.
Sure, "The Way of the Gun" is hyper-violent and has a coterie of vulgar, bad people making up its cast of characters. It’s talky and very much “written.” But it’s not so much a knockoff of the QT style as that it shares a similar sensibility for dialogue and genre subversion. It’s even fair to say that McQuarrie was ahead of Tarantino here in terms of heavily aping spaghetti western tropes and style (“Kill Bill” came three years later).
It’s a twisty, ‘70s throwback tale of two low-lifes (Benicio Del Toro and a gravelly-voiced Ryan Phillippe) who kidnap a surrogate mother to a rich couple in hopes of a big score. Things spiral out of control on the way to a brutal gun fight in a dusty old Mexican town.
The characterizations and dialogue really sing, especially coming from the two leads and James Caan as a veteran cleaner of sorts, who puts on an acting clinic in ultimate grizzled old man badassery. There’s a lot of memorable moments, acting choices and sequences: the hilarious, vulgar opening scene sets the tone and establishes these “heroes”; Del Toro slapping a prostitute in the ass before a gun fight; and Phillippe unwittingly leaping into a pile of broken glass (goddammit anyway!), until it all comes way unmoored in the final act.
The success of “Pulp Fiction” allowed for the existence of "The Way of the Gun," but perhaps unusually for this list, its successes and failures feel mostly its own. - DirectorBaltasar KormákurStarsDenzel WashingtonMark WahlbergPaula PattonTwo hardened criminals get into trouble with the US border patrol after meeting with a Mexican drug lord, and then revelations start to unfold.'2 Guns' is a by-the-numbers, nuts and bolts story of a DEA agent and a naval intelligence officer, who are both trying to infiltrate a drug cartel for their own reasons. Upon stealing drug money, they find themselves caught up in a conspiracy rooted in nastier, murkier territory than either of them expected, playing cat-and-mouse with some very dangerous people, bringing into play a wonderfully villainous Bill Paxton, looking like he's having more fun than he's had in a long time. They try to simultaneously bring justice and stay alive! The whole thing feels very familiar, as it should; if you have seen 'Tango and Cash' or 'Lethal Weapon', you already know the dynamic between the two leads and the general direction the story is headed, although there is a distinct difference in that, unlike Danny Glover's Murtaguh, neither man is particularly straight-laced. Part of what brings this film to life, though, is the fact that you cannot help but think of early Tarantino as you watch it. 'True Romance' serves as a particularly obvious touchstone for '2 Guns' in terms of dialogue, character and pace; there are in fact at least two scenes that seem to consciously mirror famous sequences in Tony Scott's movie. Perhaps most surprising to me is how well Washington and Wahlberg work as a screen partnership; with plenty of chemistry and Wahlberg responsible for a fair share of the success, it would be unfair to say he needs carrying.
Slick, stylishly shot, well-paced, with some vintage "Tarantino" moments and really snappily written, this feels like a trip back to the 90s in the best way! Okay, no big surprises, but director Kormakur knows exactly what type of film he is making here, and he hits a home run with it! - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsDaniel CraigSienna MillerMichael GambonA successful cocaine dealer gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.There's no use indulging in the usual "how is this as good as Tarantino" sermonizing - it's long-since become obvious that what separates the big Q from those who walk in his footsteps is an underlying soulfulness, the sense of human characters living lives inside the referential/reverential constructs. Layer Cake falls a little short of the Tarantino model, but the comparison is inevitable. It deals with characters straight out of the British-crime-flick handbook, old, warty crime-lords and their underlings, young, half-witted hot-shots with itchy trigger fingers. The actors try bringing life to these types. Director Matthew Vaughn has one of those camera-eyes that's great for TV ads and music videos; his images are sleek but dead.
"Layer Cake" doesn't strictly cheat to unravel its plot machinations, but does rely on some unlikely help from some characters to resolve itself. It's largely gratifying, though, to follow mostly smart characters doing their best to outwit each other, as in Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown." The film indeed owes a tip of the cap to the crime goulash made famous by Elmore Leonard. The hoods of "Layer Cake" have no permanent alliances nor loyalties. Everyone gets along fine as long as they all play by the rules, which in a film like this is as likely as a cameo by Pauly Shore. The end, pinched from Brian de Palma, feels a bit abrupt and tacked-on, but nonetheless fits the film's overarching logic. Uncovered bases can expose sharp points that stick just when you think you're clear. Sometimes it's not enough to be the smartest guy in the room. - DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsJeremy PivenRyan ReynoldsRay LiottaWhen a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Ice cold hitmen, all spouting too-cool-for-school one-liners and eventually crossing one another's paths in a hail of gunfire.
Joe Carnahan’s guilty pleasure “Smokin’ Aces” apes the style and narrative structure of a Tarantino film while also trying to mimic the spastic energy of a Guy Ritchie crime thriller. For the most part he pulls it off but it’s a film that never quite has a style all of its own. It’s either a film mimicking Tarantino or Ritchie and straddles that thin line throughout the entire run time.
Featuring a slew of character actors in major and minor roles (Ben Affleck has a blink and you’ll miss it role), “Smokin’ Aces” is your typical ensemble picture that spotlights a slew of despicable mercenaries and criminals, all in an effort to assassinate a local magician who has become a mafia informant. Ryan Reynolds plays his assigned protector, while much of the film is devoted to centering in on these criminals, all of whom have their own sub-plots, back stories, gruesome fates, and extended monologues. There’s also a twist ending where it all “comes together” while Carnahan delivers a solid film. - DirectorJohn CrowleyStarsCillian MurphyKelly MacdonaldColin FarrellA variety of losers in Dublin have harrowingly farcical intersecting stories of love, greed and violence.Irish crime drama in the 1990s was dominated by John Boorman's excellent, Cannes-lauded "The General," but the knock-on effect of “Pulp Fiction” finally arrived in 2003 with “Intermission,” an unexpectedly charming multi-character, multi-stranded affair (also riffing on “Magnolia” as much as anything else).
Penned by playwright Mark O’Rowe, and helmed by theater director John Crowley, making his feature debut, it follows the aftermath of the break-up between long-term couple Cillian Murphy and Kelly Macdonald, and of a fairly spectacular double-decker bus crash, events that somehow combine as Murphy teams with thuggish criminal Colin Farrell and disgruntled bus driver Brian F. O’Byrne to kidnap Macdonald’s new beau, a married bank manager, while various other characters—including Colm Meaney’s delusional copper, and Shirley Henderson’s insecure, mustached loner—circle them.
Nothing here is especially groundbreaking, bar perhaps Henderson’s storyline, but from its arresting opening, there’s a real verve and energy to proceedings that doesn’t preclude the film from slowing down and entering more contemplative modes. O’Rowe’s writing is warm and witty, and Crowley juggles tone impressively, going from charming rom-com to grittier drama in a space of a few scenes without it feeling incongruous. The performances are strong, too: Farrell’s having a blast, and Murphy and Macdonald in particular lend texture to performances that could have felt a little bland otherwise. Crowley and O’Rowe would reteam again to much greater effect a few years later for “Boy A,” which introduced Andrew Garfield to the screen, but this is a pretty decent little movie on its own. - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsWilliam ForsytheVincent GalloAdam TreseJerry and his two pals, Russ and Syd, are just looking for some easy money to help them break out of their nowhere lives in their nowhere town. Despite a bungled jewelry store heist which exposes their incompetence as criminals, a fateful event (and an old black-and-white film) convinces them that they can pull off an armored-truck robbery. While they are busy plotting their caper, their dysfunctional families spin out of control all around them.Often overshadowed by not only “Pulp Fiction” but also the somewhat similar “Bottle Rocket," “Palookaville” is now probably best remembered as the first feature from director Alan Taylor, who went on to be a key director for golden age TV dramas like “Oz,” “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men” (of which he helmed the pilot), and “Game Of Thrones,” before recently making a move into the blockbuster world with “Thor: The Dark World” and the upcoming “Terminator: Genesis.”
That’s a shame, because while “Palookaville” couldn’t possibly be more different from the latter two tentpoles, it’s a rather charming, low-key crime comedy that deserves a much better reputation. The film focuses on a trio of small-town pals, Sid (William Forsythe), Jerry (Adam Trese) and Russell (Vincent Gallo), who are fed up of their dire economic straits and collapsing personal lives, and plan an armored car robbery together, the only problem being that they don’t have violent bones in their bodies, and are entirely unsuited to lives of crime.
Unlike most of the crime movies of this era, there’s no pretense at "cool," no cutting-edge soundtrack or over-written dialogue: it’s mostly using the crime set-up to examine these three warm, slightly dim fellas, the people around them, and their relationships together. Taylor does handle the final robbery well, though, and there’s such a sweetness to the film (and in particular the often underrated Forsythe’s performance) that it’s able to coast along quite happily on that. Despite winning the Best First Film prize at Venice, it wasn’t able to gain much of an audience, but it’s better than the majority of the films on this list. - DirectorGeorge ArmitageStarsJohn CusackMinnie DriverDan AykroydMartin Blank is a professional assassin. He is sent on a mission to a small Detroit suburb, Grosse Pointe, and, by coincidence, his ten-year high school reunion party is taking place there at the same time.Tarantino-Esque Elements: The depressed hitman angle is very Tarantino, as is the outdated but cool soundtrack. Throw in extreme violence with a slight comic edge, and there are several parallels to be drawn with Tarantino's work.
One more thumbs up for this beautifully observed, witty movie that manages to be romantic and disillusioned at the same time. The key thing is the route to possible redemption rather than the (clichéd) possibility of redemption itself for the professional-killer hero. In returning to his roots, Martin Blank discovers that his apparently bizarre career choice is in fact perfectly normal; he's no more nor less suited to his job, unsatisfied by it, and unscrupulous in it, than any of the other professionals (indifferent grocery store workers, estate agents, security guys...) If there's a chance that normal society will have him back, it's because he was never really away.
Don't confuse this smart and poignant comedy with a Tarantino wannabe. In fact, think Coen brothers and you might be nearer the mark, but there's never any suspicion of tarantino's style winning out over substance (the usual, if usually questionable, critique of the Coens). If you're reading this review, chances are you've seen GPB already. What the heck, see it again, treat yourself. - DirectorPeter O'FallonStarsChristopher WalkenDenis LearySean Patrick FlaneryA group of youngsters kidnap a respected Mafia figure.If there’s one marker that helps you identify a late-'90s “Pulp Fiction” copycat, it’s the appearance of Christopher Walken, who after only cameoing in the real deal, seemingly refused to turn down any work at all so long as there was some kind of involved, possibly blackly comedic murder or kidnapping.
Here, Walken is the victim himself: a former crime boss, Charlie Barret, who’s nabbed by a quartet of college friends hoping to get $2 million from him so they can in turn retrieve one of their kidnapped sisters. Walken manages to get word to his bodyguard/enforcer Lono (Denis Leary), who sets out to track the boys down. It’s not a bad set-up, perhaps more Coens than Tarantino in premise, but certainly indebted to the latter more with its lengthy, would-be comic monologues. And Walken’s great, as ever, owning the screen every moment he’s on it.
But that’s not entirely surprising, because his kidnappers are played by the universally bland quartet of Henry Thomas, Sean Patrick Flanery (two-time offender on this list), Jay Mohr, Jeremy Sisto and Johnny Galecki (the only one to make something even close to an impression, mainly because of how annoying he is). There are a few twists and turns that are mildly surprising, but there’s a truly painful sense of dancing in the footsteps of better films throughout. Mostly ignored on release, it’s picked up a tiny cult audience in subsequent years, presumably of bros who can’t find their “Boondock Saints” DVD —enough so that a sequel is supposedly in development, though we wouldn’t hold our breath in terms of actually seeing the thing. - DirectorMichael CovertStarsScott PlankMelora WaltersJohn SavageThe film is three stories about one story, featuring an exciting and quirky cast of characters living on the edge.Tarantino-Esque Elements: A killer who sells vacuum cleaners, a pair of gangsters who shoot the *beep* about women while a body is locked in their trunk… you know the drill.
If there's one single element of Tarantino's style that is most frequently copied across this list, and most frequently falls absolutely flat, it's the snappy, digressionary, pop-culture-obsessed dialogue he wrote with such fluidity and wit in "Pulp Fiction."
"American Strays," a direct-to-dvd film starring a direct-to-dvd cast of Luke Perry, Eric Roberts and Jennifer Tilly from writer/director Michael Covert, is a case in point. The characters snip and spar at each other over the benefits of 8-tracks over CDs, or "old" Aerosmith over "new" Aerosmith, without ever convincing us that they're doing anything but reciting a lot of words that a young writer had thought would sound real cool all strung together.
And the Tarantino love-in doesn't end there: 'Strays' is a multi-stranded supposedly blackly comic, semi-parodic take on the desert/road movie, populated by oddball characters who have quirks instead of personalities (this old guy collects dolls! This suicidal dude has taken out a hit … on himself!) and who only collide in, what else, a big ol' gunfight in the Oasis diner.
Perry is extraordinarily wooden, and Tilly seems to have been playing the role of sociopathic sexpot forever, but Roberts is a minor redeeming feature of the film, cast against type as a family man who has lost his job. Still there's nothing he can really do to rescue the shoddiness of the endeavor, with Covert's movie right down to the prevalence of low angle shots, at best an example of ventriloquism. Unfortunately, we can see his lips move. - DirectorKirk WongStarsMark WahlbergLou Diamond PhillipsChristina ApplegateSocially anxious hitman Melvin Smiley, an expert in his lucrative field, goes on a job and falls in love with his kidnapping victim, turning his world upside down.Tarantino is famous (or is it infamous) for liberally borrowing from a whole host of cult Hong Kong action movies—everything from Ringo Lam's "City on Fire" (which he appropriated large swaths of for "Reservoir Dogs") to John Woo's immortal classic "The Killer"—and everything in between. The weird boomerang effect was that because Tarantino was ripping off Hong Kong cinema, then Hong Kong cinema must be cool in America now too. Tarantino did a fair share of this himself, introducing American audiences to a plucky performer by the name of Jackie Chan via "Rumble in the Bronx" and releasing Wong Kar-Wai's "Chungking Express" through his distribution imprint. Of course the downside to this was that other, less tasteful producers and studios thought that since Tarantino had made it cool, they could also try and import that very specific Hong Kong aesthetic for American audiences … which resulted in heaping piles of *beep* like Che-Kirk Wong's nearly unwatchable schlock-a-thon "The Big Hit."
Wong, who directed the hit Chan film "Crime Story" in 1993, leaves any traces of subtlety or substance behind, in this bloody, garish tale about a hitman (Mark Wahlberg) who gets involved in a bumbling kidnapping scheme. It's loud, it's obnoxious, it's sexist, and worst of all … it's boring. What makes the whole failed enterprise even more baffling is the fact that John Woo produced this piece of *beep* a year after making his best American film "Face/Off." You can't blame him for wanting the Hong Kong aesthetic to become viable domestically, but sadly something major was lost in the translation. - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsGina CaranoEwan McGregorMichael FassbenderA black ops super soldier seeks payback after she is betrayed and set up during a mission.Haywire (2011)
The Film: Steven Soderbergh's arse-kicking tale of a female assassin burned by her CIA handlers, and ploughing her way through a rip-roaring journey of revenge.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: A badass female on the hunt for revenge, taking down a stable of recognisable male oppressors in spectacularly violent fashion… it's a bit like a streamlined version of Kill Bill .
Mr Purple Or Mr Pink: There's an argument that Kill Bill could have done with some streamlining, and this punchy adrenaline ride is a good case for the prosecution. - DirectorJohn HerzfeldStarsTeri HatcherJeff DanielsDanny Aiello48 hours of intersecting lives and crimes in Los Angeles.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Ten characters intertwine, falling in love with each other almost as frequently as they break the law. An ambitious mixture of Short Cuts and Reservoir Dogs , without the panache of either.
One of the more self-evident “Pulp Fiction” rip-offs, although presumably written after a double-bill of that and “Short Cuts,” with a disparate group of characters, including a pair of hitmen and a few femme fatales, clashing over the titular 48 hours in LA, John Herzfeld’s film is mostly forgettable, joyless and overly convoluted, and correctly remembered really only for introducing the world to future Oscar-winner Charlize Theron.
The plot kicks off with hitmen Lee (James Spader, at his most sleepy-eyed disinterested) and Dosmo (Danny Aiello) killing Peter Horton, at the behest of his wife (Teri Hatcher), only for Lee to shoot Dosmo so he can run off and split the cash with his girlfriend Helga (Theron). But Dosmo survives, taking shelter at the house of a British artist (Greg Cruttwell, from “Naked”) and various others gathered there, including suicidal TV producer Paul Mazursky.
It’s the kind of movie where no characters really act like human beings, but just perform actions to move the plot along, and the performances, with a few exceptions, are about as memorable as you could get from cogs in a machine. The dialogue thuds rather than sparkles, Herzfeld (last heard of directing “The Making Of ‘The Expendables’ ” ouch) helms with little-to-no flair, and there’s an icky tone of misogyny even for this genre.
Really the only reason to watch is the first glimpse of Theron’s impressive screen presence, poured into an even more impressive white catsuit, if for nothing else than a reminder that she’s gone on to much, much better things over the years. - DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanDwayne JohnsonDisenchanted with the movie industry, Chili Palmer tries the music industry, meeting and romancing a widow of a music executive on the way.Alright so what could go wrong with a movie that is a seuqel to "Get Shorty, and Stars "Pulp Fiction" stars John Travolta and Uma Thurman ...read on.
“Get Shorty” was one of the best of the “Pulp Fiction” follow-ups, and, as we wrote earlier, one of the best-ever Elmore Leonard adaptations. Its dismal, decade-later sequel “Be Cool” was one of the worst of both categories. In fairness, “The Negotiator” helmer F. Gary Gray didn’t have one of Leonard’s best books to work with, but the source material is masterful when compared to the tone-deaf, pleasure-free mess that ended up on screen in 2005.
Chilli Palmer is now an established movie name who takes a left turn into the record business when a friend (James Woods) is gunned down in front of him by the Russian mob, and the widow (Uma Thurman) asks him to help save his label by signing a hotly-tipped new singer (Christina Milian), even though she’s already been bagged by two scumbag execs from across town (Harvey Keitel and Vince Vaughn).
“Get Shorty” was hardly an inside-Hollywood expose, but felt authentic in a heightened away, whereas no-one involved here seems to have ever even thought about the music industry, and in place of the earlier film’s cast of ringers, we have the wooden Milian, Cedric The Entertainer and, in a performance that remains the lowest ebb of his career (really saying something), Vaughn.
Worse, Travolta and Thurman seem to have lost their “Pulp Fiction”-era chemistry, which is only exposed further by the way the film re-enacts their famous dance sequence, but scored to the Black Eyed Peas. That serves as a pretty good metaphor for the movie in general, to be honest. The only redeeming factor is a fine performance from Dwayne Johnson as a gay Samoan bodyguard, but it’s still not enough to make this worth sitting through. - DirectorTom SchulmanStarsJoe PesciAndy ComeauKristy SwansonA mob bagman finds that his luggage, containing the proof of his gang's latest hit, has been switched.In 1999, Oscar-winning “Goodfellas” and “Raging Bull” star Joe Pesci announced his retirement from acting (he’s mostly been good to his word since, bar a cameo in “The Good Shepherd” and a more substantial role in the little-seen “Love Ranch”). After the trio he went out on, you wouldn’t blame him: dire crime comedy “8 Heads In A Duffel Bag” was the first in a trifecta of terrible completed by J.J. Abrams-scripted slapstick comedy “Gone Fishin’ ” and diminishing-returns sequel “Lethal Weapon 4.” But the first of the three was very much the worst: a tonally bonkers comedy with the trappings of a post-Tarantino black comedy, but the soul of “Weekend At Bernie's.”
Pesci plays a mob hitman hired to transport the titular eight bonces across the country, only to lose them in a baggage mix-up with innocent Charlie (Andy Comeau), who’s en route to meet his girlfriend’s parents for the first time. His life threatened if he can’t find the missing cargo, Pesci enlists the aid of Charlie’s roommates (David Spade and Todd Louiso), while Charlie has to convince his prospective in-laws that he’s not a serial killer, and keep the heads intact until Pesci can come pick them up.
The result is a broad, deeply unfunny picture caught between several stools, none of which are very entertaining. It makes sense, then, that it’s the lone directorial outing of screenwriter Tom Schulman, whose schizophrenic credits include the very funny “What About Bob?” and winning an Oscar for writing “Dead Poets Society,” along with worthless comedies “Holy Man” and “Welcome To Mooseport.” - DirectorPeter BergStarsChristian SlaterDaniel SternCameron DiazA prostitute is killed during a bachelor party and the attendees turn on each other as the wedding approaches.Time is a wondrous thing. Consider Peter Berg’s coal-black-hearted theatrical debut, “Very Bad Things,” the story of a bachelor party, a dead hooker and a body count that just won’t quit. The divisive picture remains capable of minor moral outrage and there’s little to redeem it—the familiar misogyny of the genre hands the two major female roles to the stripper (Kobe Tai) and venomous bridezilla Cameron Diaz, who is positively chilling.
The male cast, consisting of Christian Slater, Jon Favreau, Daniel Stern, Leland Orser and Jeremy Piven, do a fine job of berating one another but there’s little to recommend unless you’re a fan of the actors, and even then, there are a handful of pictures that put their respective talents to far better use.
"Very Bad Things" holds humanity in contempt and aims to deliver laughs as violent outbursts claim the lives of caricatures, as a hat tip to the far better film that inspired this feature. That Berg would mount a comeback with 2003’s shamelessly commercial The Rock-starrer “The Rundown” and strike gold with “Friday Night Lights” is a testament to Hollywood’s persistent short-term memory. - DirectorThomas JahnStarsTil SchweigerJan Josef LiefersThierry van WervekeTwo terminally ill patients escape from a hospital, steal a car and rush towards the sea.This movie is great, it should have been translated into English. It's often compared to Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino. I can understand that to a certain point because it contains witty dialogues like Pulp Fiction but it combines them with tragic and still has it's funny moments.
And because of it's tragedy it makes you think, unlike Pulp Fiction (now don't get me wrong folks, I just LOVE that movie). The effect holds on and you wonder: what would I do, if I knew I'll die within a week or a month,... (some very short time period)
Although this road-movie story itself isn't very new and has been filmed many times in Hollywood movies, it stands on its own. The story has dozens of quotes and references from American movies and film genres, but it also knows how to add a local, German and European style to it. You see two henchmen, a Turk and a Belgian, dressed in black suits and with sunglasses like taken from a Tarantino film. You see Hannes Jaenicke dressed as a fatally-looking leather cop U.S.A. style, drinking Jaegermeister (a popular German spice liquor). You see popular fifties girlie actress Conny Froboess playing Til Schweiger's mum, an Elvis Presley adoring fan. - DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsBen AffleckGary SiniseCharlize TheronAfter assuming his dead cell-mate's identity to get with the other man's girlfriend, an ex-convict finds himself a reluctant participant in a casino heist.Tarantino-Esue Elements: Ben Affleck's character is a total QT rip-off, shooting his mouth off at every opportunity and painfully trying to appear enigmatic by ordering hot chocolate and pecan pie wherever he goes.
John Frankenheimer had a long and storied career that spanned over 40 years, full of dizzying highs (“The Manchurian Candidate,” “The Train,” “Seconds”), some crashing lows (“The Island Of Doctor Moreau,” “Prophecy”), and plenty in between. But it’s a shame, having revived his career with 1998’s gripping “Ronin,” that his final film was one as generic and anemic as “Reindeer Games” (Frankenheimer was to have directed “Exorcist: The Beginning,” but became ill and died in 2002, a month after pulling out of the production).
Penned by future “Transformers” writer Ehren Kruger, it sees ex-convict Ben Affleck released from jail and hooking up with Ashley (Charlize Theron), a young woman who’d been corresponding with his late cellmate. They fall for each other, but Ashley’s psychotic brother (Gary Sinise) turns up and forces Affleck to aid in a casino robbery, thinking that he had inside knowledge of the place. In theory, it’s not a bad set-up, but Kruger’s script piles ludicrous twist upon ludicrous twist, not so much stretching credibility as tearing it apart, and while there’s some welcome color to be found in the supporting cast (which includes Dennis Farina, Danny Trejo, Clarence Williams III and Donal Logue—who replaced Vin Diesel at the last minute, the only time in history that that will ever happen), Affleck, Sinise and even the usually reliable Theron make for pretty terrible leads.
Frankenheimer’s sense of suspense eludes him too: the action sequences seem to be taking their cue from “Die Hard 2” rather than his vintage '60s work, and the whole film looks kind of cheap. Barely a year later, the film was already a punchline when Affleck played himself in “Jay & Silent Bob Strikes Back,” and in a way, it’s lucky to be even remembered as that. - DirectorDoug LimanStarsVince VaughnHeather GrahamJon FavreauA wannabe actor has a hard time moving on from a break-up, but he is lucky to have supportive friends.Swingers (1996)
The Film: Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau shoot the *beep* and pick up chicks in this seminal guy's-perspective rom-com.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: It's a very talky film, with an eminently quotable script, and there's even a direct homage to the slow-motion walking scene from Reservoir Dogs .
Mr Purple Or Mr Pink: It takes a few cues from Tarantino, but you could never accuse it of being a rip-off. - DirectorJohn GulagerStarsNavi RawatKrista AllenBalthazar GettyPatrons locked inside a bar are forced to fight monsters.Tarantino-Esque Elements: A group of insalubrious characters are locked in a seedy bar, attempting to fight off a swarm of horrifying monsters. Yep, looks like we've found another fan of From Dusk Till Dawn .
It’s a damn shame that Jon Gulager’s “Feast” came in to theaters two years before the disastrous “Grindhouse” because it could have been a wonderful replacement for “Planet Terror.” Had this been featured with “Hobo with a Shotgun” we’d have a much more watchable double bill on our hands.
Stemming from the equally disastrous and pretentious Project Greenlight series, “Feast” is a clever, hilarious, and grizzly monster film that features an assortment of despicable characters locked in a bar with a slew of monsters on the outside trying to get in. The monsters seem low tech upon their introduction but end up presenting themselves as much more menacing than they appear. They’re smarter than our human heroes, they’re faster, and wouldn’t you know it? They’re sex crazed.
Starring folks like Henry Rollins and Balthazar Getty, “Feast” dares to be different and new and doesn’t mind offing characters like a bodily function. - DirectorDanny CannonStarsRay LiottaAnthony LaPagliaDaniel BaldwinA cop (Liotta) with a gambling addiction plots a theft from the bookies who are putting pressure on him to pay off or else.Reservoir Dogs meets Bad Lieutenant. A film no one remembers from a director everyone forgets, “Phoenix” feels a little like what might result if you pasted together alternate lines from the “Pulp Fiction” and “Reservoir Dogs” screenplays, then Google translated the whole into Mandarin and back. And then got Danny Cannon (“Judge Dredd,” “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”) to direct. Well, maybe we’re being harsh on Cannon, who seems to have found his level helming TV procedurals (25 episodes of “CSI,” etc.) because this was a poorly conceived knock-off from the get-go, the type of would-be amoral thriller in which people are given lisps instead of character details, and the hero quotes Dostoevsky because it sounds cool.
Ray Liotta, Anthony LaPaglia, Jeremy Piven and Daniel Baldwin are four corrupt cops in yes, Phoenix, (whose presumably full-time jobs seem to encroach very little on their extra-curricular activities) held together by unexplained bonds of brotherhood despite the fact that the LaPaglia character is clearly a sociopath. Liotta, the decent one, is a hyper-superstitious gambler, Piven plays a cuckolded husband and Baldwin, much, we fear like his position within his famous clan, plays The Other One.
Having no such thing as a coherent character to cling to, the derivative plot spins its wheels, and potentially promising elements, like Angelica Huston and Brittany Murphy, fall by the wayside in favor of more macho posturing, hardboiled cussin’ and casually sexist exchanges between the lead quartet and their sketched-in adversaries. “Pulp Fiction” is a film more open to having its surface mistaken for its substance than most, which is why attempts like “Phoenix” to replicate the ‘Pulp’ formula without any of Tarantino’s spiky talent end up such colorless lame ducks by comparison. - DirectorJason EisenerStarsRutger HauerPasha EbrahimiRobb WellsA homeless vigilante blows away crooked cops, pedophile Santas, and other scumbags with his trusty pump-action shotgun.Tarantino-Esque Elements: An obsession with the trash cinema of the past, lashings of gore, a venerable old face in the leading role, lengthy, quip-laden monologues… how many do you want?
Let’s face it, “Hobo with a Shotgun” was superior to “Grindhouse.” Before you scream at me for bashing the Tarantino/Rodriguez double feature, I have to ask: Have you ever actually seen a grindhouse film before? “Thriller”? “Switchblade Sisters”? “Coffy”? If so then you’ll know that movie buffs who’ve actually stepped foot in a theater in the seventies for a double bill pretty much find “Grindhouse” laughable. If you’re convinced “Grindhouse” was a true time capsule of the film niche, then you really need some more film education. “Grindhouse” is to actual Grindhouse films, as noodles and ketchup is to actual pasta.
Grindhouse films didn’t list their stars in the trailers often, they didn’t have amazing special effects, and there was so much more gratuitous nudity. But I digress. “Hobo with a Shotgun” began life as a contest entry in a fan trailer competition for aspiring indie filmmakers and eventually became so popular it was turned in to a mid-level indie movie. Starring genre veteran Rutger Hauer as the title character, it’s pretty much an ode to Troma, eighties trash, and Tarantino with colorful villains, menacing thugs, endless monologues, cartoon level gore, and some truly memorable moments in the niche genre including touches of mysticism for good measure. - DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsRay WinstoneBen KingsleyIan McShaneBrutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.This film makes Tarantino look like director's big brother. This movie had me on the edge of my seat. Yeah the director used some tricks (like when DeeDee was shown lying in bed with her eyes open - was she dead? Had Don blown her off in a rage?), but a '9' is a pretty good score in my books. Kingsley was just over-the-top brilliant - meaning it wasn't overplayed or anything, but just a supreme performance that's PITCH PERFECT! The language, or the violence? Well, my friends, I'm not about gratuitous cussing or gore, but everything fits in this film, including those 2 elements. They're portraying ruthless gangsters, for crying out loud. What do you expect - prithee please, with a cherry on top? For a simple story, it held great suspense to this viewer. Well done!
- DirectorDominic AncianoRay BurdisStarsSadie FrostJonny Lee MillerJude LawA north London postman gets involved with a gang of criminals.I really liked this movie. The sudden violence, the humor, the cast, the pace, it's all great. The karaoke, and the sexual dysfunction are widely funny touches. I loved it. It has the hip stylish violence of a Richie or Tarantino film, but I thought this a little more real in both characters and story.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsTerence StampPeter FondaLesley Ann WarrenAn extremely volatile and dangerous Englishman goes to Los Angeles to find the man he considers responsible for his daughter's death.It had all the makings of a great Pulp Fictionesqe type of hip, crime, good guy criminal with a strong set of principles. Unfortunately the writing really didn't hold up as much and the ending really didn't give you the feeling that they had thought it out very well. But the movie is still watchable for tarantino fans.
- DirectorBruce McDonaldStarsHugh DillonCallum Keith RennieJohn Pyper-FergusonA group of washed-up Canadian punk rockers get back together for a road trip in memory of a dear friend who was supposedly shot, or so rumors imply. As they travel, they ignore the underlying psychological darkness within each other.The film is a bleakly cynical look at the state of Canadian music. When at the end of the movie, band frontman Joe Dick (played by real life Canadian punk rocker Hugh Dillon, of "The Headstones") cleans his head out with a bullet, it is not only symbolic of the death of the golden age of early eighties Canadian punk, but also Canadian music's selling out to The States. The guitarist joins a trendy L.A. alternative pop band, and the bassist joins a Texas based country band. The irony also spills over into real life. The film's director, Bruce MacDonald's next film was also about a rock band, but it was the superficially stylish TV movie "Platinum". Quentin Tarantino saw the film. Loved it an promised to release it in the U.S. under his lable . It didn't make much of an impact after its U.S. release (2 years after it premiered in Canada).
- DirectorJérôme Cohen-OlivarStarsDavid AckertAri BarakKelly BovinoA story about an Italian immigrant coming to Los Angeles and finding his favorite transexual: his long lost childhood friend.If Quentin Tarantino and David Lynch had made a movie together, it might have looked like "Cool Crime". In a nutshell, the film was about an Italian immigrant (David Ackert) who arrives in Los Angeles to be reunited his beloved uncle Bruce (Robert Miano). He discovers that Bruce has since made a name for himself as a local pimp and is now in a body bag after getting gunned down by a corrupt cop (Robert Cicchini). But just as Nino is getting ready to pack up and head back to the old country, Bruce's ghost appears in Shakespearian fashion with the classic "avenge my death" plea. Nino's a good boy so he does as he's told, but he learns quickly that he doesn't have the stomach for murder. There are a lot of darkly funny moments along the way, and a twisty plot that often feels weird and random but which ultimately pays off. It occasionally suffers from being weird just for the heck of it, but the cinematography is richly colorful and Ari Barak makes a smooth and sexy villain as Billardo. Sometimes the Nino storyline loses steam, but David Ackert keeps things moving with good comic timing and sensitive believability.
In base terms, the story follows an Italian immigrant named Nino (Ackert), who comes to America to live in L.A. with his uncle. Sadly, upon arrival, uncle (who turns out to be a drug dealer) is dead. But things get really strange when the spirit of the dead uncle comes to visit Nino, pleading for revenge.
That's only the beginning, and patient viewers will no doubt be rewarded by director Cohen- Olivar's nuanced work. I'm not that patient a person, so Cool Crime's more mellow moments tended to drag me down. But many of the Tarantino fueled scenes and outrageous characters have their moments, even if the film, as a whole, is uneven. - DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.My friends and I went to the San Diego film festival this past week and were fortunate enough to get into an early screening of Seven Psychopaths, by Martin McDonagh. The film was very satisfying to me personally, weaving an original story around rich characters. Story is something that I take into great consideration when viewing a film as it has lost a foothold in many films today. In terms of presentation, I felt this movie to be a combination of Guy Richie, Quentin Tarantino, and The Coen Brothers. It's hilarious, dark, gripping, precise, quirky, demented, gory, and British. The frequent narration and character introduction of the movie gives it a constantly evolving lure and makes you feel like you're sitting by a camp fire listening to something unfold. Even though their is a thick layer of narration and Peckinpah darkness, it's fun as hell, with the acting a huge aspect of that; if you want to experience a great story, that discovers a point to the whole mess these characters undertake, and have a blast at the same time, then go see this awesome movie!
- DirectorDan CohenStarsRobert ForsterDonnie WahlbergBess ArmstrongA thirty-years traveling diamond salesman must mentor a brash young replacement when his company downsizes him.This film is perfect in that it embodies so many different genres at once. It's a buddy flick with the perfect pair of actors (Forster/Wahlberg) since Redford/Newman, Nolte/Murphy and Sarandon/Davis. Bess Armstrong is a mature actress with plenty of sex appeal. Jasmine Guy (best known as the ditsy, southern belle on A Different World) shows that she's got some serious acting chops. Veteran actor George Coe and Jeff Gendelman do great work in their smaller parts. The story is believable, engrossing and smart. Director Dan Cohen filmmaking style is a hybrid of documentary, 70's buddy flick, tarantino cinema and morality tale. There are some cool and clever surprises throughout the film including the ending. I'd watch this film a hundred times.
- DirectorJin JangStarsShin Hyeon-junShin Ha-kyunWon BinFour unlikely assassins genuinely care about their customers and victims, meanwhile a prosecutor is on their trail.There are two points where this film is impressive:
1. Style: When this film decides to flex its stylistic muscles, it can be quite stylish. In fact, part of the joy of the film is watching how genre styles can be upturned as crime collides with comedy. But when the film is trying to pull cool, it does. There are a few amusing and enjoyable applications of split screen and some amusing use of alternate reality scenes as well.
2. Comedy: I really found myself quite amused during this film, actually breaking out into laughter on many occasions. Even though the overall story is a little unfocused the comedy is tight and appreciable. The setups are great, the payoffs are amusing and everything is rooted in the situation and the characters.
So, the film does have some considerable overall story issues, due to the unfocused script, but the film does well enough in comedy and in putting together some suspense that it still remains surprisingly enjoyable, despite its obvious flaws. As such, I can recommend it as an enjoyable film, but can't really compare it to similar hybrids by Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino. You should think of it more as a comedy featuring four assassins. Good stuff. 8/10. - DirectorPaddy BreathnachStarsBrendan GleesonPeter McDonaldAntoine ByrneIrish action comedy. An ex-con is forced into taking on a new task by a ruthless crime-boss, but finds he is hindered by the partner he has been teamed up with. However, he soon realizes they must work together if they are to survive.Tarantino-Esque Elements: For Tarantino and his imitators, the world of crime seems to be one enormous spiders-web of interconnected chicanery. That's very much the case here, as our hero starts knocking down criminal dominoes at an alarming rate of knots…
A rare thing in Irish cinema ...an Irish movie that's not afraid to be authentically Irish. Where other movies attempt to tailor their image and dialogue to suit an American or British market this independent gem from Paddy Breathnach and Conor McPherson depicts believable characters acting and talking in a way that real Irish people would ...a great example being how seriously the lead duo consider the handling of a gun (guns are still not very easy to come across in Irish society and having one is a big deal.
The screenplay has echoes of Tarantino and the Coen brothers while not being a slavish rip-off of either and essentially plays as a buddy, road movie; it even manages to include a scene in an Irish bog without seeming twee! Brendan Gleeson's star turn as bunny provides the perfect foil to McDonald's shy, pent-up lead and the movie manages to evoke laughter, sympathy and ultimately happiness as it winds it's way to a satisfactory, yet not overly sugar-coated, ending.
Be warned ...I watched this film with my old Canadian flatmate and had to explain a lot of the 'Irish-ism's' in the dialogue as it went along so some of the humour may go over the heads of non Irish-viewers. - DirectorVondie Curtis-HallStarsTupac ShakurTim RothThandiwe NewtonTwo friends try to kick their drug addiction after a friend dies from an overdose, when they try to enroll in a detox program, things quickly go wrong.Throw in the legend named Tupac, a little Tim Roth during his "I'm too cool for school because I'm in some Tarantino flicks and can do no wrong" period of coolnessness and some absolutely brutal scenes of the two of them in a Jazz club playing stand-up bass and keyboards, respectively, with Thandie Newton on vocals and you, my dear Watson, have a perfect recipe for a truly wannabe tarantino movie.
- DirectorMatthew BrightStarsReese WitherspoonKiefer SutherlandBokeem WoodbineA twisted take on "Little Red Riding Hood", with a teenage juvenile delinquent on the run from a social worker travelling to her grandmother's house and being hounded by a charming, but sadistic, serial killer and pedophile.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Director Matthew Bright balances the film's extreme violence with a camp and kitsch pop soundtrack. Mr. Blonde would love it.
Like Tarantino director Matthew Bright forgets that less is sometimes more, and the threat of stepping over the line can be as dramatic as actually doing so. Sadly the director/writer Matthew Bright thinks that the drama only occurs if threat is then turned in to action.
Although it does know a thing about having your cake and eating it to. Especially in the scenes between the fleeing Witherspoon and the creepy Kieifer Sutherland.
What prevents this film from falling apart totally is the acting. Witherspoon is a total revelation in the lead role in that we normally see her as a sweet girl. Here her tiny face and pout are much more deadly -- indeed what we have here is bordering on the psychopathic. - DirectorPaul McGuiganStarsMalcolm McDowellDavid ThewlisPaul BettanyChronicles the rise and fall of a prominent, and particularly ruthless English gangster.Ever since the release of Quentin Tarantino's crime drama 'Pulp Fiction'; it seems as if every other crime drama must reinvent itself. 'Gangster No. 1' falls into that category and while having many flaws, it still manages to capture the audience's attention with its' engaging tale.
This dark, stylish and graphic crime flick is the creation of UK director Paul McGuigan whose past efforts include 'The Acid House' and 'Morality Play'. And while it is crude, vulgar, violent and anti-climactic, it has all the characteristics one seeks for a crime film. The film opens with a stunning sequence in which a terribly miscast Malcolm McDowell retells his rise from a lonely soldier in a Crime Family to the head of the organization.
Paul Bettany plays McDowell's younger self mysteriously called Gangster 55; who does a superb job at capturing the rapturous rage of this young criminal. While working under Freddie Mays; played with an incredible sense of apathy by David Thewlis, we see Bettany/McDowell's character eye his position in this family on a much wider scale. - DirectorHamish RothwellStarsRobbie MagasivaPaolo RotondoScott WillsThree young men unwittingly become involved in an underground pool tournament.This is very much like Tarantino meets Ritchie. With that said, here is the lowdown. The first scene (set) has such a great slap to it, if you do not find it funny; there is no sense in going any further.
Three mates (best friends) get put into an underground pool tournament. The real catch is it consists of only one game per match and locations of the matches keep changing. Keep in mind; the `shock' content is part of this grand journey. The dialogue is quite humorous. Although you may not get all of the humor, as this is a New Zealand (Kiwi) brand of humor, it is great just the same.
The three words to best describe this film would be seedy, sexy, and smart. The many directions the characters go in this film is exactly what happens to real people when put under strange conditions. This is totally devoted to the characters rather than pool, but it is sure to be a pool theme classic film. Low budget? You bet, but totally worth it. So I do recommend it for the Babes, Booze, Bars, Bros., and yes of course - the pool! - DirectorJonathan SobolStarsScott CaanPaulo CostanzoJason JonesUpon learning they only have a few days left to live, three brothers set off to reverse a lifetime of mistakes.Tarantino-Esque Elements: The subject matter is pure pulp, but where Tarantino uses such hoary plot devices to let his whip-smart dialogue soar, Sobol's movie stays mired in the vagaries of its labyrinthine plot.
This movie is really impressive. I expected it to be some pretty bad stuff I'd turn off after a shot while but I liked it very much. The way it's told is a mixture of classic styles and it also reminded me a little of the way Tarantino tells his stories. The whole plot is cool and without comparison. Cast of characters, acting, settings, locations etc are completely awesome, character development as well. So I'm still stunned that I watched this movie 2 years after it came out and it only has 198 views with a rating of only 6.6 which is completely ridiculous to me. Music and ending are nice as well. I really liked it and I think it's one of those movies that's worth to be watched again. I guess someone did a very bad promotion for this DVD because it's worth to be watched by way more people and not only because of it's nice humor. - DirectorSebastian GutierrezStarsAlan RickmanEmma ThompsonCarla GuginoA couple and two hired hands kidnap a business owner for a four million dollar ransom. A woman is killed. Collateral damage? The F.B.I. gets involved.There are people who say it's sub-Tarantino.But I'm not a QT fan,by a long shot ,and I found this flick quite entertaining.There are enough twists to keep you interested throughout.My favorite is Emma Thompson ,whose playing is very tongue-in- chick :I love the scene when she's reading peacefully her book while eating Chinese food while they are waiting for an important phone call.The title is justified too,but you will understand it only in the last third.
Hats off ,once again to Emma THompson,a first-class actress ,who agrees to play a supporting part and so lets lesser known actors shine a little bit. - DirectorJennifer LeitzesStarsKyra SedgwickStanley TucciRobin TunneyWhen a suitcase full of money disappears, the members of the gang quickly turn on each other. Everyone wants the money and when the shooting stops, who will be left standing?It seems nobody could make a crime movie between 1994 and 2000 without being accused of copying Quentin Tarantino. Granted, his movies are great, but scoffing at any movie that has an ensemble cast of decent actors in a story that involves guns and money is just robbing yourself of entertainment. I admit there are a lot of copycat movies out there and some are really crappy, but you have to judge each one on it's own merit. I consider Montana and Things to do in Denver when you're dead to be two great exceptions. They're just too damn fun to watch for me to be so critical of them. Maybe that's just me though. I try to find things that mean something to me in every movie I watch.
I love Tarantino as much as the next guy, but how can you not enjoy Kyra Sedgewick beating and shooting people. You just don't see that everyday. - DirectorJonathan SobolStarsKurt RussellJay BaruchelKatheryn WinnickCrunch Calhoun, a semi-reformed art thief, agrees to get his old gang back together to pull off one last heist.First off the whole concept seemed great and Kurt Russell would finally be in a role that I think really suits him and I for one would love to see his carrier continue in roles like this. I really like the guy but I think it's been a long time since he's been able to find a role that suits him. I even have a few problems with Death Proof. I think getting to act in a Tarantino was cool but maybe Death Proof wasn't the best choice for him. He should concentrate on films like the one I'm reviewing today. A film with a young director, who has unfortunately been overlooked bringing his original script to life with Kurt Russel as the start who carries the whole film on his shoulder. Let's talk a little about the story. Crunch Calhoun along with his brother and their gang steal a bunch of art work. In this little band of merry men everyone has a job to do until one of the robberies goes wrong and they toss Crunch to the cops, more specifically by his own brother. After spending 5 and a half years in jail he starts working as a motorcycle daredevil, though he's not too successful at it. He is just trying to get over his last big wreck when he starts planning a new job but he would need his brother and the whole gang to do it. Of course it's not this basic, there are a few twist and turns in the film everything you need in a good robbers film. It's a really great action- comedy. I could say it follows the arch of the Ocean films, but the thing is I think they aren't as good as this one. It's as good as I would want from a film like this. The director is exceptional, even if he does borrow liberally from the greats of the genre, plus it's not even the direction it's the great script that should win Jonathan Sobol praise. The film is full of great one liners the humor is first and foremost like that of an 80s action-comedy. You can tell that Sobol grew up on films like 48 hours and Tango and Cash, and that's great. It's not enough to write great lines though they have to be delivered by great characters and the films is fantastic with this too. Every character is awesome and I wouldn't be able to criticize any of them. After Russell I think Jay Baruchel is tremendous especially when we find out that he likes Predator 2 and doesn't have a clue what the hell Int erpol is. Anyway my point is that Kurt Russell is phenomenal and pure gold in the role. It reminded me of Tango and Cash and Big Trouble in Little China. It was awesome to see that someone other than Stallone hasn't forgotten the 80s. The dude delivers. All in all it was one of the most entertaining films I've seen in a while. Of course it's hard to compete with the master Guy Richie it's not a Lock, Stock it's not a genre changer but it reminded me of his films with a healthy dose of 80s action-comedies. I was disappointed that the film didn't become a huge success but looking around on the net I've found that I'm not the only one who liked it. I give it an 8/10 and I hope that I'll see work from the director again soon and that it restarts Russell's career.
- DirectorKiefer SutherlandStarsKiefer SutherlandKim DickensVincent GalloA group of crooks, an ex con, his friend and a gun crazy gangster plan a drug heist, but not everything goes as planned.The Film: Kiefer Sutherland's directorial debut in which Vincent Gallo stars as an ex-convict who gets out of jail and forms a plan to rob his mobster boss.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: The film borrows wholesale from From Dusk Till Dawn , released the previous year, particularly in the way that a pair of crims flee the law in a hi-jacked RV, complete with innocent victims in tow.
Mr. Purple Or Mr. Pink: A fully paid-up rip-off, and one to forget for Sutherland. - DirectorDavid CaesarStarsBryan BrownToni ColletteJohn Goodman1973 Sydney: An Australian gangster sees booming business, due to U.S. soldiers being in town for relaxing between their tours to the Vietnam war, attracts the attention of first the Chicago mafia, and then their East Coast competitors.This is a nicely paced caper and its only real crime is the weak ending.
It's been criminally undersold here, and sad to report I was alone in the dark corner of the multiplex I saw it in. As all the comments here are Australian and a year old, the film has obviously been leaked late to the rest of the world in advance of its video or dvd release. This is lacklustre treatment of a little gem.
First and most important, you don't need to be Australian to understand the dialog. I wouldn't fault any of the performances, which pretty much match the characters' function in the film. Bryan Brown and Sam Neill stand out, inevitably, but John Goodman and Toni Colette are sound in support.
I smiled from the moment this started to the closing credits, laughed out loud more than once, and salute the repeated use of "bouf-head" as a term of endearment. - DirectorMel SmithStarsKevin McNallyMinnie DriverMary McCormackA nurse eavesdrops with a friend on a cell phone conversation that describes a bank heist. She and the friend then conspire to blackmail the robbers for two million dollars.The trailer tells us this is the next ‘Thelma and Louise,' but this wild and spicy flick is more like Starsky and Hutch meets Absolutely Fabulous. Brought to us by the veddy British, Fragile Films, the same people that brought us Spice World and is currently between two Wilde takes; 99's ‘Ideal Husband' and next year's ‘Importance of Being Ernest.' Girls just want to have fun.
The overall theme is that old-time-Hitchcock-religion where Joe Everyman becomes unwittingly entangled into crime and intrigue. The stars are Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack as a nurse and thespian respectively. These are the two Joanne Everybodies with a UK twist of sophisticated slapstick like Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.
These women are presented as smart, strong and beautiful. Yay. And all the guys are either corrupt or useless. Just like real life. Min has a dumb boyfriend who's electronic eavesdropping picks up a cell phone mid-bank heist. Mary, the actress, fresh from a looping session with an animated tomato, sees the overheard phone conversation as an economic opportunity to squeeze the bad guys. `They'll never listen to a woman,' insists Driver. Mary says, ‘This is the twenty-first century and we do all jobs now.' Minnie crosses with `Do you want to extort money or raise consciousness?' Mary's answer, `Both!'
The rehearsals for the blackmail phone calls to the bad guys are a hoot. The writing comes from two comedy vets from the BBC, Km Fuller who cut his teeth on ‘Red Dwarf' and Georgia Pritchett from the sassy ‘Smack The Pony' and nicely directed by Mel Smith who did ‘Mr. Bean.'
Highlights include a very nice travelling matte midsection when both sides rally to battle reminiscent of the opening title sequence to Knots Landing and a smashing performance from Sir Michael Gambon, the great character actor which is another word for interesting. - DirectorJeffrey ReinerStarsGlenn PlummerPatrick CupoErnie Reyes Jr.When a trio of low-level criminals with a supply of drugs find themselves with some time to kill before a big deal, they decide to live a little. But a chain of stupid mistakes and unfortunate events brings them no small amount of trouble."Small time" is a movie in Tarantino's style blended (oddly enough) with New Age themes. I normally dislike Tarantino's imitators, but "Small time" is really a funny and interesting film. The story is simple. The small time crook Ben (Glenn Plummer) has the chance to make an important delivery for some big-shot: the meeting point is an abandoned hut in the desert. Unfortunately, he has the awful idea to take with him two cretinous accomplices: their idiotic self-damaging behavior is the main source of funny trouble in the movie. And in the desert Ben meets a mysterious old Indian chief (a ghost?) who somewhat introduces him to New Age philosophy.
The narrating style of the director Jeffrey Reiner is fast-paced and original. A pleasant black humor permeates the script. In spite of an evident low-budget, the film is made with taste and accuracy. Many people are killed, but, fortunately, violence is kept to a minimal level. The acting is generally adequate. Plummer is a nice guy. Arguably the best is Rae Dawn Chong, gorgeous and incredibly sexy in the role of a proficient, ruthless gangster. - DirectorWei TungStarsJet LiEric TsangSimon YamTwo hitmen, one a novice and the other a veteran with poor luck, band together to find the "King of Killers" for whom there is a large reward.This is a good movie that may have never made it to the American market if not for the success of Jet Li in the U.S. Eric Tsang is a very successful actor in the Hong Kong market, but has virtually no following here -- which is too bad. He may have even been listed as the star of the movie in the original Chinese version.
Eric is a Chinese blend of Danny DeVito and Joe Pesci. He can portray the wormy character of DeVito in the Romancing the Stone/Jewel of the Nile movies. And he also does a great blending of the Home Alone/Lethal Weapon Joe Pesci character. People should rent this movie to see him render his role. - DirectorKevin SpaceyStarsMatt DillonFaye DunawayGary SiniseWhile escaping from a foiled robbery attempt, three thieves find themselves surrounded by police at a New Orleans bar--only they're not the people the police are searching for.The Film: Kevin Spacey's directorial debut in which Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise and William Fichtner take refuge in a basement bar after mucking up a robbery, only to find themselves embroiled in an unrelated siege.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: An unfortunate sequence of events sets a group of sharp-witted criminals into a series of events that go spiralling out of their control… it's quite a lot like Reservoir Dogs in both tone and set-up. This time its a basement rather than a warehouse in which the drama plays out.
Mr Purple Or Mr Pink: The cast are great, with Fichtner a standout performer. The script is derivative, but the high concept is an engaging one. - DirectorBrian KoppelmanDavid LevienStarsJennifer BaxterDennis HopperVin DieselThe wannabe sons of mobsters go to a remote town in the Midwest, and get themselves into more trouble than anyone could anticipate.The story is pretty simple. The son of a wiseguy trusted his friend to bring like 500.000 $ back from somewhere. But his friend, who was flying the plane got a little high on coke and got a little paranoid, so he placed the bag with the money somewhere while he had his plane refueled. Sadly the bag got on another plane by mistake and well.. He and his friends go to the Town the plane went to. I mean it has interesting characters played by great actors like Dennis Hopper, John Malkovich, Vin Diesel and finally Seth Green. The movie consists of a lot of profanity, a bit of drug use, a little bit of violence. (something for everyone).. Well and it's just light entertainment. You can't expect too much of this movie. The main problem is that the movie itself isn't sure what it wants to be. I mean, is it a comedy or a thriller or what? My final thought: Even though it's produced by Lawrence Bender (Tarantinos Producer), it is NOT a movie that inherits the qualities of most of his other producing ventures. But it is still watchable and a nice avocation so lets say 6/10
- DirectorMichael CovertTracy FraimStarsTracy FraimMichael CovertTara ChocolWhen the mother of Junior and his younger brother Scooter, twenty-something, dies, they realize they need a woman around the house, since they haven't a clue how to cook or keep house. Their first attempts, with hookers and strippers, are disastrous. But when they kidnap DeDe from the grocery store, they find someone that's eager for an excuse to leave her abusive husband (who also happens to be the local sheriff). He takes revenge and burns down their ramshackle house, leaving them broke. No problem, they've got their guns, and they start robbing the local bank, which actually likes the excitement, especially since the boys are so polite about it.What a pleasant surprise, to laugh oneself sore during a film festival screening of a sleeper independently produced film! This one is going to be a HUGE winner, as I'm sure the word will filter out through hipsters and sites such as "aint-it-cool-news.com" You deserve a break today... watch for, and go see "DIRT." You'll be glad you did!
- DirectorDavid L. CorleyStarsJim BelushiSheryl LeeKyle ChandlerA young hitman is asked to prove himself by killing an innocent woman.Amazingly the little known Kyle Chandler is now playing a major role in Peter Jackson's King Kong. So perhaps now Angel's Dance will get minor recognition. Featuring Backbeat's Sheryl Lee and the jobbing James Belushi (as potential victim and professional hit-man respectively) this small B-picture is surprisingly watchable and at times darkly humouress.
Opening with Jon Polito (in a familiar role established better in Miller's Crossing) sending a trainee hit-man to go with the best in the business to learn the ropes. For 'The Rose' (Belushi) this means teaching Tony (Chandler) to let go of any morals he once had and picks a random name from a phone book as the target. Neither one of them could predict that the target (Lee) would fight back with terminal force.
Offbeat, quirky and with some decent action scenes (and some good costumes to boot) this is yet another film that won't be seen by most, but will be appreciated by most that do. Surely Belushi is long over due another half decent role like this, perhaps Tarantino will remember him in years to come... - DirectorRichard GreenbergStarsBrent RoamShawn WoodsChristopher BershAn American assassin, who works for cartels in Latin America, is back in USA. He gets a woman before each job and kills her after. FBI's on to him but are curious about his next big job.If you're not a Kiefer fan, I'm not so sure. Me, I'm a Kiefer fan and while I will say I liked this film well enough, I'll also say it's not the best film in the world. I enjoyed Kiefer's ability to play a professional killer and yet you actually kind of like him by the end of it. I did not like Melora Walters. Her voice grated on me I guess. Jamey Sheridan (The Walkin' Dude from Stephen King's 'The Stand') was completely wasted in this I felt. He's a great actor as well but I don't think his character was developed enough.
- DirectorMichael RadfordStarsAsia ArgentoJared HarrisRupert EverettA young woman attempts to end her criminal career. But she needs love to make it."B.Monkey" is the perfect example of a romantic thriller!Asia Argento plays Beatrice/B.Monkey-the thief who wants to quit with her profession.She loves Alan(Jared Harris),a teacher of small children.The film is really enjoyable and very well-acted-Asia Argento,a daughter of famous Italian horror maestro Dario Argento is really talented!She provides also some great nude scenes!The violence is kept to minimum,but there's a lot of cursing!8 out of 10-worth checking out,especially if you're a fan of Asia Argento!
- DirectorScott SandersStarsMark Adair-RiosKhandi AlexanderErich AndersonA thief is betrayed after a well done job in Detroit. Returning to Chicago, he decides on revenge. Things escalate.The movie goes pretty fast through its story with plenty of smart, breezy dialogue. As always, Alec Baldwin is good, but is outshown by Michael Jai White and Andre Braugher, who play the crime lord and his top lieutenant respectively. White plays a not so bright but vicious crime lord with upwardly mobile aspirations. Braugher hits just the right notes of dismayed resignation as he contemplates his boss' follies. Rebecca DeMornay also has a great character to play - a hard-boiled police detective who has seen it all but remains a half-step behind the action. There are lots of well-crafted minor characters as well. The sound track also deserves a special note (no pun intended).
It you've seen all the Tarantino and Tarantino-esque movies, and are looking for more, this movie would fit the bill. - DirectorKern SaxtonStarsNeal FischerCortney PalmTony ToddUpon his release from prison, Fish is brought to an abandoned restaurant by his old associate, Duke, to celebrate his newfound freedom. However, there's unfinished business that Duke is determined to solve.A character called "Fish" (Noah Hathaway ) is released from Prison after serving six years for a diamond heist, he meets up with his accomplices whom he protected during his sentence, for a 'celebratory' meal, a lavish array of sushi, all laid out on a beautiful young woman...well it beats a Bernie Inn I suppose!
I wasn't expecting much from this film, I'd never even heard of it until now, just a seen it all before yarn, but what you get is an intriguing blood soaked plot, plenty of twists, a more than satisfying 'twist' finale, and a cool Tarantino style exploitation cast of Tony 'Candyman' Todd, Sonny Chiba, Danny Trejo, Micheal Biehn and an almost unrecognizable Mark Hamill looking like the love child of John Presscott and Eddie Izzard!!
A bloody enthralling slice of cinema that the aforementioned Tarantino could have served out. - DirectorAdam RifkinStarsVinny ArgiroJames CaanDonnie MontemaranoAn ex-convict's plans to turn legit go awry.Night at the Golden Eagle is a film that shatters some of those myths. These are the lives of people most of us would rather forget, people with no hope, no future, and only shattered dreams to keep them company. It's rightfully disturbing stuff. Anyone looking to be entertained should stay far away, because Night is a film that is guaranteed to leave you feeling dirty.
For all that, it never feels exploitive. Night draws you close to the stench of decay but never cheapens it. There are no false redemptions, no heroes charging in to save the day, not even an "everyman" to ease us into the proceedings, nor are any of the developments glamorized as they might be in a film by Tarantino and his ilk. - DirectorTodd MorrisStarsDeborah TwissBenja K. ThomasRene AlbertaA woman comes to New York City from Ohio to escape an abusive husband and gets entangled with murderous female vigilantes who prey on abusive men.I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this little flick. Naturally I went in expecting it to be along the same lines as the classic 'girl power' flick, I Spit on Your Grave (….), and while the two share some common themes; this film is certainly different enough for it not to be considered a rip-off. Recently, Quentin Tarantino tried to recreate the seventies Grindhouse style with 'Death Proof', but director Todd Morris actually succeeded in doing that over ten years ago with this film, as if it wasn't for the fact that I know that A Gun for Jennifer was made in 1996, I definitely would have thought I was watching a seventies movie. The plot focuses on a group of man-hating (probable) lesbians who are tired of the way that men treat women and so decide to take the law into their own hands. The story really starts when they save a young woman from being mugged on the streets. They have her shoot the mugger and then allow her to join the gang. From there we follow the girls as they squabble amongst themselves and take down various male criminals in the city...
- DirectorWayne KramerStarsPaul WalkerNorman ReedusElijah WoodAn anthology of stories involving meth addicted white supremacists, a man looking for his kidnapped wife and an Elvis impersonator.The movie begins and ends at a pawn shop where it's owner, Alton (D'Onofrio), spends most of his time chitchatting with his friend Johnson (McBride). Different characters come in there throughout the day all trying to pawn a different item and their stories all intersect (and overlap). One is a honeymooning couple where the groom (Dillon) finds his missing wife's wedding ring. Another is an Elvis impersonator (Fraser) doing a show at the local fair, looking for some extra cash. The third is a white supremacist (Haas) wanting to sell a shotgun so he can afford gas to meet his two partners (Walker and Rankin), who are planning to rob their meth supplier (Reedus, who is unrecognizable in a mask the entire film). All the tales (of course) take a very dark turn.
The film is funny and very violent, it's also highly disturbing. All of the actors are good and fittingly cast in their roles and Walker always seemed to do his best work in Kramer's movies. Wood is becoming one of the most creepy actors in Hollywood (after playing a psycho in this and 'MANIAC', in the same year); he's really starting to scare me! Although it is very dark and twisted it's also highly entertaining and has a really strong Tarantinoesque feel to it. It's probably what most people expect coming from Wayne Kramer (even though he didn't write it) and it's sad that he and Walker won't be able to work together again. - DirectorNoel ClarkeMark DavisStarsEmma RobertsTamsin EgertonOphelia Lovibond4 girls out on a 3 days trip in to 2 cities, if they survive. While Jo is working in a supermarket, her 3 friends are all out on their adventures. A chance encounter with diamond thieves sends them on a collision course with fate itself.The Film: Noel Clarke's London-set yoof oddysey, in which a quartet of Brit girls get involved in the capital's seamier side.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: Each girl's story is played out before the narrative rewinds and picks up with the next. All the various strands interweave via a diamond heist, date rape and all manner of would-be male oppressors. A take off-of Go , which in turn is a take-off of Tarantino.
Mr. Purple Or Mr. Pink: Not all the episodes hang together as neatly as Clarke would like, while his arse-kicking quartet of heroines are hamstrung by some very patchy performances. - DirectorMark SteilenStarsJohn C. ReillyWilliam FichtnerKelly McGillisSwaggering, womanizing Jerry and his hen-pecked buddy Pat are in a bind....thier clients aren't dying fast enough! They buy insurance policies from the terminally ill.......and bet on them to kick the bucket on schedule. But their luck is about to change when they meet Barbara, who has a $2million policy and 3 months to live.I too enjoyed this film. It was just dark enough to make me question whether it was a drama or a comedy. I don't think this movie will ever make my top 100 list, but just as you cannot stop reading a good book, I couldn't stop watching this flick. It stayed within itself very well, which helped to make this a very solid and entertaining movie.
- DirectorMichael WinnerStarsChris ReaFelicity KendalJohn CleeseWhen the doctors tell Harry Sterndale to get his affairs in order, he does just that - with a vengeance. With nothing to lose, Harry is out to give everyone who ever "done him wrong" something to remember him by: exactly what they deserve.This is really a nice movie, with some very good actors, like Oliver Reed, John Cleese and Bob Hoskins. The main role is played by Chris Rea, the great musician, who proves to be an actor too ! Parting shots is a very British movie, with a typical Michael Winner atmosphere. Speaking of a black comedy, this sure is a good movie, which is in my opinion a very underestimated one. Rea's acting is natural, and he perfectly plays a nice guy who becomes a killer.Some superior performances by John Cleese and Oliver Reed make this movie enjoyable enough to entertain you. Just don't expect too much of this movie. Just sit back and enjoy this MW production.
- DirectorMetin HüseyinStarsChiwetel EjioforMax BeesleyJames BolamAn ex-con gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.I can imagine the pitch went something like this : " It`s a fresh funky comedy with some black geezer . Little bit like TRAINSPOTTING or LOCK STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS innit . Give some money to make the film . I`m a geezer "
- DirectorBrian GrantStarsEric RobertsJoe PantolianoTia CarrereA seedy night-club owner recruits eight violent gangsters for an elaborate heist. But when they all begin to compare notes, they find they're pawns in a dangerous game of double-cross.Tarantino-Esque Elements: Wise-talking gangsters pulling the wool over each other's eyes in a tangled plot that only draws all its various strands together at its big finale.
Surprisingly, Quentin Tarantino is not the only man that can create a criminal movie, with an interesting plot. With good casting, and meaning, The Immortals tell a story of a series of robberies set up by Jack(Eric Roberts), to bring together a group of small time thugs, with nothing to live for. In short, Chris Rock is hilarious, the action is stunning, and although the script isn't "Reservoir Dog"-ish, The Immortals can challenge it for best Mexican Stand Off in a movie. - DirectorMichael DamianStarsJohn HaydenRichard RiehleHarland WilliamsA road trip to Los Angeles inadvertently leads a young man from Wyoming into a wild maze of psychotic hit-men, racy women, jewel thieves and a salsa band.Just recently I was browsing through a couple of titles of crime and noir thrillers and I stumbled upon 'Hot Tamale'. With a witty title I decided to give it a watch. I also happened to discover that Diora Baird was credited in the movie. When when watches on one can't avoid noticing the Tarantino elements that are present at every stage of the movie. 'Hot Tamale' is one of those movies that still attempted to carry on the Tarantino craze of the 90s and was suffering from heavy hangover too. Independent cinema continues to survive with the constant influx of new directors and writers who have innovative scripts and different visions of movie making. The director Michael Damien who was well known for the daytime television series 'The young and the restless' makes a movie directorial debut. He also happens to be the co writer for the movie too. His television style directing is very evident in the feature. His effort in movie directing is impressive however I wish I could say the same for the script. Firstly this is a movie which is to be appreciated more for it's art form as opposed to the story. And the reason as why it received funding was purely due to the comedy and humour elements. I wished there was more to offer in terms of narrating a story, but I guess a larger budget would have been required. It did not receive a theatrical release however won best picture at the Boston film festival. It succeeds as a independent movie. Much portion of the movie is shot indoors which actually corresponds with the budget.
'Hot Tamale' is a updating of the wrong guy in the wrong situation theme. This was very popular in the 40s and 50s era. Many may remember Alfred Hitchcocks' 'North by northwest and even the recent 'Luck number sleven'. Even Quentin Tarantino's 'True Romance' will appear vaguely similar. The noir elements are very limited but the presence of hit men and devious women character would make this appealing to anyone who searches for those aspects. The entire movie focuses on the the retrieval of some priceless diamonds. Not exciting initially. But the Diora Baird and Randy Spelling's screen time together makes it pleasurable to watch. This is the part where 'Snatch' immediately came to mind. But the main similarities end there. In terms of content, the movie falls by a few points. But the style factor is balanced throughout at all times.
The Tarantino style is clearly a influence in the movie right from the two hit men which resembled Samuel L Jackson and John Travolta to the drug attack Randy Spelling has. But the entire premise is more on the comedy crime drama side. Many segments have a Indy atmosphere and a made for TV feel. 'Hot Tamale' is a movie that one wishes had more to offer in terms of content. During the middle portion one can't help getting a feeling that the writer may have edited out parts of the script to achieve the minimum funding for the movie. This is pretty much acceptable, however the comic interactions between characters is the plus point. A movie which can be more desired more for it's style rather than it's substance, can sometimes backfire. However the comedy is the saving grace and the director has integrated some funny moments and dialogues in certain scenes. - DirectorRichard ParryStarsWil JohnsonStuart LaingMark LetherenFive very different characters are thrown together in one weird, mashed up day. It started out like any other, but 24 hours later everything had changed. South West 9 takes you through the windscreen of the new millenium. The death of idealism, capitalism, religion and hippies. Even the drugs don't work anymore. The 'summer of love' generation have come down and they're ready to riot. Seattle. Stockholm. Paris. Genoa. May Day riots.Absolutely great movie. Multi story happenings, which all have their end point at a rave party in a church somewhere in London. One guy on acid without his own or anyone elses knowledge, spaceman! He's flowing .... Comedy, drama, crime, ... hard to place this movie in one catagory.
- DirectorAdam BarattaStarsKari WuhrerAdam BarattaShane EdelmanTwo best friends, a struggling actor and an unemployed screenwriter, set out to look for a prized $250,000 Rolex wristwatch which was stolen by an attractive con artist.While the seductive teenybopper pose of Kari Wuhrer on the DVD cover might lead some to believe "Do it For Uncle Manny" was "sexploitation", that is not what this film is about. It is closer to a comedy along the lines of"Swingers", and only contains a smidge of nudity. The first half is laced with familiar male insecurities, and everything up until the unbelievably contrived ending is good. Adam Baratta in a certain way reminds me of a young Burt Reynolds, and delivers a solid performance, as does the rest of the cast. Basically it is the story of Uncle Manny's Rolex watch swiped by Kari Wuhrer, and the quest to get it back. This leads to a bunch of misunderstandings and funny situations. Recommended, but the unsatisfying ending drags it down a notch.
- DirectorLarry BishopStarsMichael J. PollardHenry SilvaGabriel ByrneWith his boss in the madhouse, a mobster is temporary boss of the criminal empire just as vicious rivals threaten the control of the empire.Not a movie for everyone, but this movie is in my top 10. I am a lover of black comedy. With a cast including Richard Dreyfus (Vic), Jeff Goldblum (Mick), Larry Bishop (Nick) and Gabriel Byrne (Ben 'Brass Balls' London) in the leads, the lines can't help but be dry. The supporting cast is nearly dead center. Counting the minor flaws in the movie: Ellen Barkin's make-up gave her face has a washed out look; there were a couple of gimme cameos by Joey Bishop and Richard Pryor that served no purpose, and Michael J. Pollard's screen time was too short. Over all, the cast was just incredible without egos to wreck a fine script. If you have seen Larry Bishop's (writer, director) film, Underworld (a dark crime flick), you will enjoy this one. His next outing (writer, director, actor) is Hell Ride with Michael Madsen and Quentin Tarantino.
- DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsMike MaasNick FenskeMark PrioloA Cherry Pontiac Lemans Convertible...Two Days...Two-Hundred & Fifty Grand. When your lemon lot hits the skids you glom the gig no matter what the smell. For Bob and Sid, two slicked-back burnouts, bum luck runs in spades. With a goose-egg for cash flow and a fore-closure falling fast, they take the gig. The Upside: Fat Cash...The Flipside...Every Thug, Crook, Punk and Mercenary on the planet looking to get rich.The Film: Joe Carnahan's terribly titled tale of a pair of used car salesmen who fall into an ill-thought out scheme to save their failing dealership.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: The writing is wannabe-Tarantino by the numbers, with every other character coming across as articulate, quirky and full of observations concerning the vagaries of human nature.
Mr Purple Or Mr. Pink: It's not an outright disaster, but the dialogue is far to verbose for its own good. Sometimes, less is more. - DirectorRobert Patton-SpruillStarsDavid CarusoLinda FiorentinoJohn LeguizamoIt was supposed to be an easy job for the 5 guys to rob an art museum of $15 million in paintings, but it comes with a body count that continues on the way to Miami to sell."Body Count" copies "Reservoir Dogs" so closely that it's a wonder Tarantino didn't sue its makers (or maybe he was simply flattered). The plot (concerning the aftermath of a daring art museum heist, which we only see in flashbacks), the irrelevant/"philosophical" dialogue, the violent, constantly sparring partners-in-crime....NOTHING is fresh in this movie, everything feels forced, tired and second-hand. The characters are extraordinarily stupid; they are supposed to be these big-shot criminals but they behave in the most unprofessional manner possible, doing everything they can to screw up their own plans. Still, the film is not unwatchable; John Lequizamo does a good job of playing a complete sleazebag, and there are a couple of twists at the end. As for the rest of the cast, Ving Rhames keeps his dignity but the great Forest Whitaker is wasted and David Caruso and (especially) Linda Fiorentino are awful.
- DirectorDarren DoaneStarsGary DanielsMichael MadsenGeorge CheungA double-dealing member of an elite group of hit men becomes the ultimate target when his organization discovers his deceit.IDES OF MARCH (A.K.A. ULTIMATE TARGET) has yet to see an official release – at least in North America – and it's not difficult to see why. Since it was produced, other films have taken several of its tactics and executed them much better, to the point that if this were released today, viewers who didn't know better might assume that it's a cheap homage to KILL BILL. It's an interesting film, though not nearly as much now as it may have been 15 years ago, and is only worth hunting down online for hardcore fans of Gary Daniels.
The story: A brotherhood of elite assassins turns against one of its own (Daniels) when an underhanded deal threatens to expose them.
Part of what probably stood against the film's release was its rough presentation. As is, the movie gives the impression of being incompletely edited: there's nothing wrong with the audio or video quality, but the narration, the flashback-laden structure, and the frequent use of paused footage looks like something that would be handed back to post-production with a list of things to change. Then again, I have seen plenty of vehicles for Daniels that look a lot worse than this but have actually gotten proper releases, so these imperfections should not make a difference to fans. - DirectorKent DalianStarsJeremy RennerStephen IngleRene RigalSix gun-wielding idiots trapped in a New York loft with four million in stolen diamonds.I've got the strange feeling that someone decided that a splicing of Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino would be both funny and cool. but even if you like both filmmakers, most will grudgingly admit that their imitators are pretty pathetic.
- DirectorNimród AntalStarsColumbus ShortMatt DillonLaurence FishburneA newbie guard for an armored truck company is coerced by his veteran coworkers to steal a truck containing $42 million. But a wrinkle in their supposedly foolproof plan divides the group, leading to a potentially deadly resolution.The Film: Nimrod Antal directs this poor man's Reservoir Dogs about, you guessed it, a heist gone bad.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: The film takes place almost entirely within an industrial warehouse, as our gang of crims sit it out, bickering with one another relentlessly. You've seen it all before.
Mr Purple Or Mr. Pink: While Reservoir Dogs ' characters were richly drawn wiseguys we were only too happy to hang out with, this motley crew get pretty old pretty quickly. - DirectorKurt VossStarsMolly RingwaldDonal LogueChris ShearerA couple has a big drug deal go bad and flees across the border to Baja California, Mexico. Bebe's dad sends her ex-husband there to talk sense into her. Somebody sends a hit-man there.Lance Henriksen is the only reason to watch this movie. He is at his best combing his unique talent for menace and sensitivity. He is such an excellent actor and much under-rated I think. He has all the best lines and it's worth it just to watch him. Sure wish TV series would come out on DVD.
- DirectorCharley StadlerStarsRobert CarlyleGary OldmanAnouska Bolton LeeTraitors, killers and lovers collide in London.In this day and age people often liken new creative film directors (or a new film) to cult inspirational movie makers like; Tarantino, Guy Ritchie or The Coen brothers. 'Dead Fish' is without doubt a cult movie, watch it ten times (I dare you) and love the bones of it like I do!
- DirectorDavid MametStarsGene HackmanRebecca PidgeonDanny DeVitoA career jewel thief finds himself at tense odds with his longtime partner, a crime boss who sends his nephew to keep watch.The Film: David Mamet takes on the heist movie with an all-star cast including Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: Mamet's films are always extremely wordy, but his subject matter here feels like purest Quentin. On comes a slew of double-crosses, an incredibly knotty plot and a glut of black humour. Tarantino's work clearly owes Mamet a significant debt, but in this case, it seems as though the old master has been looking over the apprentice's shoulder.
Mr. Purple Or Mr. Pink: Not one of Mamet's best, nor up to Tarantino standard either. A pity. - DirectorKlaus HochStarsCraig ShefferRobert LoggiaSadie FrostWhen lust and dishonesty bring these strangers together, their sexual escapades and kinky behaviors lead to violence and a twist ending.Okay, I'm pretty sure I am the only person in the entire world who liked that movie. And no, before you ask, I'm not a die-hard Lucy Liu fan. Admittedly, this movie was riddled with problems, but I think Quentin Tarantino said it best when he commented on Brian DePalma's "Bonfire of the Vanities" that it takes a director of quality to make a truly disastrous film. A hack wouldn't doesn't take the risks that failed to pay off in Flypaper. That being said, I have to wonder why a film like Flypaper falls so hard when films like "The Unbelievable Truth" launch a prolific career and a borderline cult following. Though the two films are as different as night and day, they both spring from the same impulse: stepping outside a genre and examining it outside the confines of illusionism. For all the griping that goes on about unoriginal, cookie-cutter genre pieces, shouldn't we have just a little generosity when a director has the guts to break the mold? Personally, I was hooked after the very first scene. Anyone can be outrageous. Anyone can be true-to-life. Combining the two takes brass balls, and Klaus Hoch has got him. For sure he's willing to throw a bucket of gratuitous sex and violence in our face, but, believe it or not, there is something rustling behind the curtains in Flypaper. No, we are not supposed to take anything anyone says in the film without a whopping grain of salt. That's part of the point. Every single character is a walking contradiction, a grotesque hybrid of celluloid and flesh. But -God help me, I know this is where I'll lose you- isn't that what it's always been about? We go to the movies. We rent DVDs. We sit back and watch human beings transformed (at best) into morons and (at worst) objects. It's a twisted zero-sum game, and it mirrors real life in ways we don't even want to think about. Flypaper is compared unfavorably with Pulp Fiction and various Cohen Brother films, perhaps because there is no warmth or adulation, no well-thought-out view from nowhere. Essence absolutely refuses to precede existence. These characters are going to do some very stupid, pointless things, and there is no redemption, no "correct" path for them to return to, not even a solid realization of their sad, silly condition.
- DirectorAndrew GothStarsRachel ShelleyClint DyerDavid BakerIn the Pepperhill Estate of Manchester, an ongoing battle rages between Triad gangs and street gangs. Gang leaders Ray (Andrew Goth) and Terry (Goldie), who are cousins and lifelong friends, always trusting and relying on each other, have been in prison. Ray doesn't want to be a gangster anymore, having also fallen for Clare (Rachel Shelley). but Terry, driven by an obsession beyond friendship, is determined to make sure that Ray never leaves the gang. During their time in prison, the local Chinese Triad gang have grown stronger and more daring, eventually killing a member of Terry and Ray's gang. Revenge is called for and the gang turns to them for direction. Bernie (David Bowie) is the aging gangster who struggles to keep the peace.Based in MANCHESTER not London: they are 2 totally different cities and cant be confused with each other. Revolves around the huge gang problems found in Manchester in a mock Lock, Stock.. style and also trying to emulate the panache of a Tarantino. The film fails at both though!It is worth a watch for an alterantive British movie although the mediocre cast could never have made the film great - especially equipped with one of the poorest scripts I've ever seen. Bizarre fact is that the films countryside shots were filmed on the Isle Of Man in the Irish Sea - even though Machester is surrounded by huge amounts of land identical to that found on the Isle Of Man!
- DirectorSam AkinaStarsJerry LloydTom DotyRoy StantonA hard boiled tale of bloody revenge that interweaves the stories of nine criminals. Hector Gonzales, a ruthless kingpin who has risen through the ranks over the last ten years and now stands on the verge of ruling the city; Bill Nguyen, a Vietnamese mafia boss; Abe Shanks, a black market organ dealer; Johnny Tran, a young Dai Ca within Nguyen's Viet mafia; Tommy Two Toes, a hot tempered Sicilian Capo; Lenny, a brutal mercenary working for the highest bidder; Pablo Valdez, a flamboyant Columbian drug lord; Donnie Edwards, a drug dealing Vice cop with aspirations to escape the undertow of the cities criminal milieu; and, at the center of this dark yarn, Cash, a gunslinging ex-convict on a death quest to find the man who raped and murdered his wife over a decade ago, Hector Gonzales. The story takes place in one day, on the eve of an all out syndicate war. Through a twisted series of events, the interweaving narratives are put on an ultra-violent collision course that will determine, once and for all, who owns the streets.When I watched this film I had read all the hype about it though I still didn't expect much cause I knew the budget was low and its marketed as this sort of gritty action movie. I was really surprised. Reading the negative comments on the IMDb, I realize that these guys don't get it. It uses a lot of character and literary devices that you never see in these kinds of films. I really enjoyed the dialog - sometimes there's too much exposition, but the story forces you to stay on your toes. Its not a movie for lazy viewers like that one guy who said there was no continuity cause Cash gets stabbed in one scene and in the next there is no wound. There's no wound because it skips back earlier in the day before he got hurt. But it's hard to follow until three quarters of the way through the movie when all the stories come together and you realize what the filmmakers have been doing. Bullets is a different kind of action movie - the plot is pretty basic revenge story, but the way it's told is what makes it special. I agree that Bullets shouldn't be compared to Tarantino, but really its hard not to. It's got revolving story lines, jumps through time, and its chock full of blood and gore. But the blood and guts are supposed to be campy - thats what makes it fun. I think some people take the movie way to seriously, especially when the movie doesn't take itself that seriously. He kills a guy with his own broken bone, I mean come on people! It ain't the Shawshank Redemption! Maybe its not Tarantino - but its pretty damn cool.
- DirectorCraig HamannStarsMark DacascosEmily LloydMichael PeñaA man who has just been released from prison vows to start a new life, but is put in danger when a drug addict cellmate appears.Since Pulp Fiction, you haven't been able to throw a rock without hitting a video box emblazoned with such hyperbole as "more stunning than Pulp Fiction", "in the spirit of Pulp Fiction" and so on (and on). So it is tempting to ignore BOOGIE BOY, what with its box featuring a very familiar image of a tough guy wielding a pistol, plus the blurb "from the Producer of Pulp Fiction". But to pass up this film would be a big mistake. While it is true that BOOGIE BOY does ALMOST fit into the subgenre of Tarantino-esqe action films that have sprung up in recent years, it has an originality and a soul to its story that the Pulp-wannabes on the shelf have no idea how to achieve. Screenwriter/director Craig Hamann presents a world so dirty, so mean, so grounded in reality, that the viewer slowly slips into the story, not immediately realizing that he is being told a tale of almost operatic drama. Elements of good and evil, betrayal and hope, all unfold neatly, aided by the characters, both mundane and off-the-wall, who turn the protagonist's attempt at redemption into an almost Oz-like journey. Viewers wanting a mindless action film should look elsewhere, as there are no car chases or tacked-on gun battles here. The violence in the film is strictly rooted to the story being told, and when it surfaces it is sudden, swift, and brutal, with none of the sanitization or sensationalization that big-budget films so inappropriately prefer. Also present is a strong anti-drug message, delivered without any traditional Hollywood preachy moralizing. Instead, the almost tangible misery involved in the daily lives of several of the characters speaks much more eloquently on the subject. No one will ever mistake any of the drug use scenes in this film of being glamorous.
- DirectorKantzBen RamseyStarsKent KingAnthony 'Treach' CrissCharles GuardinoA hitman falls in love with the boss's girlfriend, who may just be his next target.Kantz and Ramsey also put together "The Big Hit", which I disliked so much, I demanded my money back from the video store. But I admit that there is something appealing about this one.
The film is an attempt to do comic noir, and is definitely of a flavor similar to that of Tarantino's films and of the British neo-noir.
The problem such films have is one of bad taste - it's difficult to know when killing and hurting people can be made amusing, and when it just hurts and laughing at it is stepping close to something profoundly unhealthy. - DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsThomas JaneVing RhamesElsa PatakyA tough as nails private investigator (Malone) squares off with gangsters and their thugs to protect a valuable secret. Malone goes through hell to protect the information but he dishes some hell as well.The Film: Thomas Jane stars as a good-natured gunman taking on a Dick Tracy-esque rogues gallery in this stylised neo-noir.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: If QT were to turn his hand to a classic film noir it would probably come out something like this, all cartoonish villains, sharp suits and hard-boiled dialogue. Needless to say, its plenty violent too.
Mr Purple Or Mr. Pink: It doesn't take itself too seriously, and as a bit of throwaway fun, you could do worse. - DirectorMatt FarnsworthStarsMatt FarnsworthDiane FosterJohn SavageA cautionary tale of love, crime, fantasy and addiction that follows two young Iowan lovers who decide to go into the "batch" business - cooking their own methamphetamine - only to watch it burn a searing hole in their lives.Yet no bracer in the world could prepare a viewer for the full-bore assault that is Iowa, the movie. Quentin Tarantino, move over; there's a new sheriff in town. Matt Farnsworth, the writer, director, and star of Iowa, makes Quentin Tarantino look like a little girl dressed in pink ribbons and bows with frilly ruffles on her underpants. The comparison most often heard after the movie was to Tarantino, director of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and the Kill Bill flicks, but there is far more depth to Farnsworth's work, and this makes it soar high above Tarantino's.
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonCiarán HindsAfter a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.The Film: Martin McDonagh's pitch-black crime comedy in which Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson hole up in the picturesque city after a job goes bad back at home.
Tarantino-Esque Elements: The pair of bickering hit-men combined with their enigmatic, foul-mouthed employer are all Tarantino-esque creations, as is the whimsical (and somewhat implausible) romance between Farrell's character and Clemence Poesy's local lovely.
Mr Purple Or Mr Pink: It's bleakly brilliant, even if some of its characters and set-ups feel quite familiar. - DirectorNick GomezStarsMichael RapaportLili TaylorAdam TreseAided by a group of teens, a man and his girlfriend run a profitable drug operation but someone is distributing bad smack in the area and the cops start a crack-down.It's like Gomez picked the top 5 most public places to NOT commit a murder and just offs people without consequence. That isn't shocking, it's dopey. "Hey, I'll kill one of my crew out of tough guy spite in my girlfriend's apartment like it was ordering a pizza!" Ooooooooh, how Tarantino. Rappaport is OK (he isn't bad at all, rather likeable, but is kind of trapped in a crummy movie), Taylor is actually quite good (and as a cheap "guy" aside, she's actually kinda cute in this movie.
- DirectorQuinton PeeplesStarsTobey MaguireAmy HathawayWilson CruzThe teenage son of a motel owner steals a black convertible to impress a mysterious beauty he has a crush on.Aint near Tarantino-level, it's made in time of mid-90s so it is tarantinoesque for sure. But very cool little low budget flick. Sort of twisted thriller. Tiny gem from the 90s. Very suprised of this one. Goes along well with something like Freeway from 1996, another 90s thriller, little better.
I really liked it. I thought it was very much like a Tarantino film with the story line, the events, the attitude. Not done quite as well or as slick as Tarantino, but very good. And very nicely performed.
Interesting seeing Adam West play the creepy dude (which he does well!! lol), and Hathaway was rocking as the a-typical teenage sexpot. The whole flick should not have worked, but it did. Perhaps because of the well known names that acted in even the small bits, like Bel Toro's cameo as the detective. - DirectorSilvio PollioStarsSilvio PollioJoe CorteseTom SizemoreAn old-time forgotten friend must save his true friends from the underground trafficking gang at the school.I was one the few who saw an early edit of this film and really loved what I saw from this fun little indie. With the cameos from John Savage, Gary Bussey, Tom Sizemore, and Roddy Pipper it is worth seeing. And for the hotness of Tabitha Taylor ... Schwing...
I don't want to give it all away , but the gist of is about an up and comer (Silvio Pollio) whose agent and producer (Joe Cortese) wants him to kill the competing top producers and catch it on film. It goes from Hollywood to Bollywood and back with laughs all the way. - DirectorLuca BercoviciStarsJames MarshallDennis HopperMichael MadsenJack Sweeny is a young man just trying to get a job. Turned down at another bank due to his criminal record he meets a girl, Rebecca, but also witnesses a 3 way shootout between 2 groups of criminals and the cops over a suitcase containing perfect plates for counterfeiting bank notes. Jack grabs the plates and attempts to sell them via his friend Zippo. However with at least three different groups ready to kill him for the plates, Jack finds it's just one double cross after another.Tarantino-Esque Elements: The unbelievable coincidences and quirks of fate that befall the hero are straight out of True Romance , while a cast that includes Michael Madsen, Dennis Hopper and Ice-T apes QT's eye for a washed-up star. Throw in a soundtrack full of surf music (including what sounds like a burst of Misirlou !) and the picture is complete.
You don't always know what is going to happen. There is no actor in the movie that really stinks (since almost all roles are played by actors that might not be the best, but they've all got lot's of experience). The action is ok but no more than that. There are a lot of Quentin Tarantino Reservoir Dogs rip-offs but it doesn't seem so bad since they're usually in scenes starring Michael Madsen. So I recommend this movie, it's a lot better than some of the bad blockbusters. - DirectorMichael WorthStarsJenya LanoChrista SaulsLorenzo LamasWhen Valenitine, a lifelong assassin, tries to leave her old life behind, she enters a world that may be stranger than the one she just left. Searching for the son of a man she has killed she finds the road paved with good intentions can sometimes still have potholes...I caught this last year at a film festival screening. Though the film has it's own unique style, you can't help but notice the subtle (or not so subtle) nods by first time director Michael Worth to Tarantino, Scorsese, etc. (particularly in an opening shot from a car trunk). A dark comedy about a female assassin (played by Jenya Lano) in search of herself. I give the film a 7 out of 10 based on the kind of movie it is and not comparing it to the larger studio films (which are many times much worse than this). It is not for everyone's taste, aimed at a more "cult" audience then mainstream. The very low budget (not to be confused with "B movie") feel is also sometimes it's charm. It definitely wants you to think on life and death and does not try to give you a "popcorn" ride. Made for a specific audience the film reminds one of either the slow static pace of Wes Anderson or the more rugged low budget entries of Linklater or Jarmuch in style. At least, the attempt is there anyway. Held back by a limited budget, the film still stands out but can be uneven at times.
This question is inspired by the alternate title of this movie, "Warrior or Assassin". The answer: probably a mixture of both. Michael Worth's direction is often pointlessly gimmicky (even spoiling some potentially good fighting at the end), his story isn't all that original, and his attempts at imitating Tarantino (mostly by having minor characters talk about the most random things) come across as forced. - DirectorRoger ChristianStarsDenis LearyJoe MantegnaAnnabella SciorraAfter spending seven years behind bars, Johnny Crown is back on the street, with lots of cash, a psychotherapy degree and a burning desire to find and punish gangsters who had killed his father. One of the people involved is Frank Gavillan, who unwillingly follows Johnny in his demonical and ultraviolent crusade.Some have said that this is a Tarantino or John Woo wannabe, they are right to some extent! The writing by Larry Bishop is frequently hilarious (he also wrote Trigger Happy), he keeps the action moving, from Leary's endless one-liners to the idea that the man who put a bullet in his fathers head might be just too close to home.
Cool moments in the film include Ned (who killed Ed) going back to his roots, this means getting rid of everything, including money, jewels, car and Traci Lords, the hitmen shooting up the bar for something to do and that sandwich!
It came out in the wake of Pulp Fiction, but other crime movies came out then too, good ones at that: Trigger Happy, City Of Industry, Albino Alligator etc. - DirectorDavid WylesStarsMichael MadsenJennifer TillyGary BuseyMadsen plays an assassin who's hired to kill the woman he loves.This is modern, skeleton Noir. Within that framework, it is certainly viewable, with Tilly a standout as the femme fatal. In monochrome color, first-person narrative flashback, a jazzy soundtrack, interesting camerawork, and betrayal themes, it appears as a true genre piece. Unfortunately, the script plus the filmmakers' glint toward Schwarzenegger-like action, ruin any dark ambiance they establish. It's all here: the tough but soft-hearted hero, viperous femme, over-the-top bad guy, the black sidekick slated for torture/death. And it all rapidly blows away like gunsmoke during the cartoonish shootouts.
Madsen is in typical Rourke-mode, but with a little more compassion squinting his eyes. Tilly is all whiskey-throated slur as Rina and little-girl whine as Cathy. The movie definitely needs more of Rina, because, with the exception of Busey's Wild Man, she's the cast's only interest. The giveaway is in the prologue, where, in sepia-tone, slow-mo, and voice-over narrative, Madsen labors his death scene, blazing away with dual, silver-toned guns and a monotone from a mortally-wounded script. Ultimately, it boils down to the bullets and body count, without enough desperation or resignation to warrant the blood.